This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Science scheme of work. Have you ever hidden an object behind paper and wondered how a mirror still shows it? You can see something like a plant because light reflects off it and into your eyes. But when you’re standing directly in front, the light can’t bounce off the plant, hit the mirror, and reach your eyes all at once.

If you move to a better position, the light reflects off the plant, then the mirror, and into your eyes – so now you can see it! But if more paper blocks the path, the light can’t reach the mirror, and the image disappears. Light travels in straight lines and needs a clear path to reflect. Mirrors don’t “know” an object is there – they simply reflect the light that reaches them.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of Science, Upper key stage 2, Year 6, Energy: Light and reflection, Lesson 2: See the light