Question 31
Do this activity in pairs to observe reflection. You will need a flashlight, a mirror, a ruler, a protractor, a piece of paper and a pencil.
1. Draw a line on the piece of paper and put the mirror upright on the line.
2. Darken the room and use the flashlight to shine a beam of light onto the mirror at an angle.
3. Trace the incident and reflected rays on the paper.
4. Measure the angles of incidence and reflection with the protractor. Remember that you will need to draw a normal first.
Repeat the experiment, changing the angle of incidence. Is the angle of incidence always equal to the angle of reflection? If not, why might there have been discrepancies?
Share your answers with the class.
1. Draw a line on the piece of paper and put the mirror upright on the line.
2. Darken the room and use the flashlight to shine a beam of light onto the mirror at an angle.
3. Trace the incident and reflected rays on the paper.
4. Measure the angles of incidence and reflection with the protractor. Remember that you will need to draw a normal first.
Repeat the experiment, changing the angle of incidence. Is the angle of incidence always equal to the angle of reflection? If not, why might there have been discrepancies?
Share your answers with the class.
