Experiment 8.

Aim : To investigate the relationship between angle of incidence and angle of

reflection

Problem : What is the relationship between angle of incidence, i and angle of reflection,
statement r?

Hypothesis : The angle of incidence, i is equal to angle of reflection, r.

Variables : Manipulated: The angle of incidence, i

: Responding: The angle of reflection, r
: Constant: The size of incidence ray

Materials and : Plane mirror, ray box, power supply, white paper, protractor, plasticine
apparatus

Procedure : 1. Set up the ray box and plane mirror as shown in the diagram below.

2. Point the incident ray to the plane mirror at the angle of incidence,
i=100.
3. Measure and record the angle of reflection, r.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 by using the angle of incidence, i=20, 30, 40 and
50.
Observation :
Angle of incidence, i (0) Angle of reflection, r (0)
10 10
20 20
30 30
40 40
50 50
Discussion : 1. Explain why this experiment needs to be carried out in the dark.
So that the light rays that are reflected can be seen more clearly, and
can be recorded more easily.

2. Predict what will happen to the angle of reflection if the plane

mirror used has an uneven surface.
The angle of incidence will be different from the angle of reflection

3. The angle between incident ray and reflection ray is 600. What is the
value for the angle of reflection, r?
300
4. Based on your observation, does the reflected ray of light in this
experiment obey the law of reflection? Give a reason.
Yes. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Conclusion : The angle of incidence, i is equal to the angle of reflection,
r. The hypothesis is accepted