Reflection Lesson Plan

Objectives

Describe what happens when light hits a mirror

Define reflection
Describe why mirrors reflect so well
Practical Experiment

Equipment
Concave and Convex mirror, Ray Box, Drawing Paper, Pencils, Coloured slips.

Introduction Sean 2 mins

Review

o What do we know about mirrors?

o What happens when light hits a mirror?
o Why do they reflect light?
o Why do they do it so well?
o
o Starting Questions
o In what direction does it bounce off of the mirror?
o How do you know? It is always like this?
o If light hits the mirror straight on, how will it bounce off?
o What if it hits at an angle like this? (demonstrate on overhead)
o How could we test our predictions?
o What happens if light hits a mirror then another mirror

Development Elizabeth 5 mins

Some important terms in reflection are the angle of incidence, the angle
of reflection. The angle of incidence is the angle at which light strikes
the surface and the angle of reflection is the angle at which the light is
reflected from that surface. It is important to note that the angle of
incidence and the angle of reflection are the same. When light bouncing
off a surface is being described it is often described using the word
“bounce” it is actually more accurate to say that the light ray turns back
after hitting the reflective surface. A surface that causes light to
bounce back is called a reflective surface, these images often appear
behind the surface in question, for example when a person stands in front
of a mirror it appears that the image is behind the mirror this is called a
 virtual image. Objects are visible to the human eye because of the ability
to absorb and reflect different wavelengths of colour. Some of the
colours are determined by the ability to absorb the wavelengths and
reflect different wavelengths; the reflection of sound from a surface is
called an echo.

Angle of incidence
Angle of reflection

Reflective Surface
 Light Reflection Experiment Selina 10 mins

Equipment
Concave mirror
Convex mirror
Ray Box
Drawing
Paper
Pencils,
Coloured slips

Method

1. Put drawing paper on table

2. Plug in Ray Box
3. Set up ray box on drawing paper.
4. Put desired Coloured strip inside.
5. Turn it on and manipulate the light.
6. Experiment with a flat mirror
7. Experiment with convex and concave
8. Try to measure angle of incidence and angle of reflection.
9. Draw the patterns that the concave and convex lens create
10. What happens when you reflect into a convex then a concave lens?
11. Discuss findings and results

Angle of
incidence
Angle of
reflection

Mirror

Ray Box
Discuss Results Elizabeth 5mins

o Why do you think mirrors bounce or reflect light so well?

o In what way does the reflected light from a mirror act like a
bouncing ball?
o Do you think this would be equally true if you used other shiny
surfaces?
o Was it difficult to measure the approaching angle and
reflecting angel of light? How did you try/do this?
o What light designs did you make with your mirrors?
o What happens if use both a concave and convex lens?
o Do you think there is a limit in reflecting light through the use
of mirrors?
o Can everything reflect light?

Glossary

Concave: A lens that curves inwards, it is a diverging lens.

Convex: A lens that curves outwards, it is a converging lens.

Bibliography

101 Suite. (n.d.). 101 suite. Retrieved April 16, 2010, from optics reflection:
http://atomic-molecular-optical-
physics.suite101.com/article.cfm/optics_total_internal_reflection
Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved April 17, 2010, from reflection:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/reflection.aspx
J rank.org. (n.d.). j rank.org. Retrieved April 18, 2010, from optics reflecion and
refraction: http://science.jrank.org/pages/4871/Optics-Reflection-refraction.html
Learning at home. (n.d.). light rays and reflection. Retrieved April 17, 2010, from
Learning at home:
http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/light/rayOptics/reflection/reflection1.html
Evaluation Worksheet Sean 5 mins
What did you learn from our lesson?

Was it entertaining?

Was it well presented?

Can you define reflection?

Did you enjoy the lesson?

Thanks for your feedback, if you have any other comments they would be
helpful!!

1 Please rate our 10

lesson!