NCERT Book Class 7 Science (Curiosity) Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflections

Light: Shadows and
11 Reflections
In the Western Ghat region of Maharashtra, Keshav spends
part of his summer vacation at his friend Jatin’s grandparents’
village. Having lived in a big city, he finds the forests, fresh
air, sounds of gushing streams, and chirping birds a novel
experience.
However, for Keshav, the most fascinating sight is the
dance of hundreds of fireflies at night, flashing their lights
in a wonderful performance. Jatin’s grandparents explain
that fireflies are seasonal insects and they use light to
communicate. Unfortunately, Keshav also learns the number
of fireflies is decreasing due to light pollution, reduced forest
cover, and excessive tourism.
At the end of their vacation, Keshav and Jatin board an
evening bus back to their city. As the bus winds through the
hilly roads, Keshav watches the moonlit landscape and the
beams from the headlights of passing vehicles flashing by. He
is reminded of the many poems and songs about moonlight,
and wonders — does the Moon actually produce its own
light? Did we not learn in the chapter ‘Beyond Earth’ in the
Grade 6 Science textbook Curiosity that all other objects in
our solar system shine only by reflecting the light of the
Sun? Is moonlight just reflected sunlight? Which objects give
off their own light? While thinking, he notices something
strange — light seems to move in a straight line!

Chapter 153 4/3/2025 4:56:22 PM