April 2011 Gen Science – Wave Interactions

Reflections of Light Energy Wednesday April 11 th, 2012 Warm-up: 1. Predict what will happen to a beam of light if it hits a surface that it cannot pass through. Objective: Students will be able to observe how light interacts with matter in order to describe the Law of Reflection. Homework: Wave Interactions HW #3 –Due Friday

Reflection of Light Light is easy to see but difficult to describe. It is a form of energy called electromagnetic radiation that consists of waves of electricity and magnetism combined. We see objects such as the sun, a candle flame, a light bulb, or a TV screen, because they are light sources. They actually produce light themselves. All other objects, such as a book, a pen, or a plant, are visible because rays from a light source bounce off them and into our eyes. In this investigation, you will examine how light rays reflect off objects.

1. Draw an arrow on the diagram to represent your prediction. Incoming Ray of Light MIRROR Figure 1

Activity 1: Figure 1 MIRROR Incident Ray Normal Angle of Incidence Angle of Reflection Reflected Ray

Classwork 1. Observe the demonstration by your teacher. Record you observations in the chart.

Chart 1 The Effect of the Angle of Incidence on the Angle of Reflection ANGLE FROM WALL () PREDICTED TARGET ANGLE FROM WALL () ANGLE WHEN SUCCESSFUL () X X

Classwork 2. Identify the pattern between the angle the laser beam was pointed at the mirror and the angle the laser beam reflected off the mirror.

Classwork 1. Read page 18 from Sound and Light. 2. Use page 18 to define each part of the figure.

Exit Ticket Explain how the Reflection In A Box investigation demonstrates the Law of Reflection. Support this statement with evidence from the investigation. 3 – Answer explains how the game demonstrates the Law of Reflection and is supported with an example from todays investigation.