The Reflection Challenge!!

Part 1 – How do plane mirrors work?

The easiest type of reflection to study is reflection off of a plane mirror, and so that is
where we'll begin. You will need to measure how light reflects off of a plane mirror,
more specifically how does the incident angle on the mirror compare to the reflected
angle? (See the diagram below).

i  r

To measure this you will need to set up the laser pointer on a flat surface and put a piece
of paper underneath. Change your laser pointer from "point" mode to "line": mode (do
this by sliding the piece in front). Fire the laser at a mirror and you should see an
incident ray and a reflected ray. Trace them onto the paper with a pencil. Draw in a line
normal (perpendicular) to the mirror, and measure the incident angle and the reflected
angle. Do this five times, at five different angles and fill in the data and conclusions
sheet.

Part 2 – The Reflection Challenge!!

Now its time for the competition! You and your group will be given a sheet with a spot
for the laser, and a spot for the target, and possibly some barriers. You will have 3
minutes, as a group, to draw in where the mirror (or mirrors) goes to achieve the goal of
hitting the target. The target consists of a bullseye (worth 5 points) and is surrounded by
a 4 point and a 3 point area. Your team will receive the number of points for the
LOWEST area that they hit. The group with the most points wins the game (and 3 extra
credit points on the lab!)

Simple!
Name: _______________________________________

Period: _________

DATA & CONCLUSIONS

Part 1 – How do plane mirrors work?

Table of Incident Angle and Reflected Angle

Incident Angle Reflected Angle
(Degrees) (Degrees)

What can you conclude about the relationship between the incident angle and the
reflected angle? This is called the "Law of Reflection".

Part 2 – The Reflection Challenge

Each group will staple and turn in their challenges (and if they got them right).

Level Your Points

1
2
3
4
5
6
TOTAL: