Cloud Gate aka “The Bean” Learning about the reflective properties of one of Millenium Park’s most famous attractions.

Reflection  Light always travels in a straight line  However, when light hits another substance, it will change direction opaque (  If a material is opaque (not allowing light to pass through, not transparent.), the light will not pass through it but bounce off reflection  The change in the direction of light is called reflection.

Texture of the Surface  The manner in which the light reflects depends on the surface’s smoothness  Notice that Cloud Gate has a smooth surface  The light will end up reflecting in only one predictable direction.

Reflected Angles  Angle of Incidence  Angle of Incidence: The angle between a ray that strikes a surface and the normal to that surface at the point of contact.

Angle of Reflection  Angle of Reflection  Angle of Reflection: The angle formed by the line normal to a surface and the direction which a reflected ray moves.

Images will be the reverse of what is actually being done. In the following, the object raises their left hand. The opposite of left would be right. Therefore, the image will look as if they were raising their left hand

Notice how in the picture, the man puts his left hand up against Cloud Gate. If we were looking in the reflections perspective, the image would be holding up their right hand

Concave Mirrors concave  A concave mirror is an inwardly curved mirrored  Concave mirrors create a magnified image  How big the image appears depends on how curved the mirror Under Cloud Gate, the mirror Curves inward. So, the bottom Of Cloud Gate would be Considered a concave mirror

Convex Mirrors Convex mirrors are outwardly curved mirrors The image appears smaller The outer part of Cloud Gate Curves outwards. Therefore, the Outer part, which is most visible To people, could be considered A convex mirror.

Concave vs. Convex mirrors

Questions  What is a common nickname used for Cloud Gate?  What is a reflection?  Are mirrors commonly transparent or opaque?  Is the surface of Cloud Gate smooth or rough?  If you were to stand in front of Cloud Gate and lift your right foot, would your reflection look like it was lifting its left foot or right foot?  If you stood under Cloud Gate, would your reflection be bigger or smaller than you are?  What is a convex mirror, and what is a concave mirror?  When buildings reflect off of the outer surface of Cloud Gate, they look smaller than they really are. How come this is true?