Reflection
A mirror changes the direction of light.
A shiny plate
A torch beam falls on a shiny steel plate. A bright spot of light appears on the wall on the other side.
What do you think the shiny plate does to the light?
What this lesson covers
The idea
A shiny surface or mirror changes the direction of light falling on it; this change in direction of light by a mirror is called reflection of light.
A shiny plate
A torch beam falls on a shiny steel plate. A bright spot of light appears on the wall on the other side.
What do you think the shiny plate does to the light?
- It changes the direction of the light
- It stops the light completely
- It makes the light brighter
Use a mirror
Put the mirror in the way of the beam. Then turn it.
Reflection of light
The mirror sent the light in a new direction. The light still travelled in straight lines. It changed direction at the mirror.
A shiny surface or mirror changes the direction of light falling on it; this change in direction of light by a mirror is called reflection of light.
Notes
A shiny surface or mirror changes the direction of light falling on it; this change in direction of light by a mirror is called reflection of light.
Check yourself
A mirror changes the direction of the light falling on it. This is called …
Which of these changes the direction of light that falls on it?
How does light travel when a mirror turns it?
Where does the reflection of light occur?
- reflection of light — correct. Yes! Reflection of light happens at the mirror.
- transparency. Transparent materials let light pass through. Reflection is a change of direction.
- formation of a shadow. A shadow forms when light is blocked.
- A piece of butter paper. Butter paper is translucent. It lets part of the light pass.
- A shiny steel plate — correct. Yes! A shiny surface does this.
- A sheet of clear glass. Clear glass is transparent. Most of the light passes through it.
- It stops at the mirror. The light does not stop. It leaves in a new direction.
- In a curve all the way. Light travels in straight lines. It changes direction at the mirror.
- In straight lines, changing direction at the mirror — correct. Yes! The path changes where the light meets the mirror.
- At the mirror — correct. Yes! The direction changes there.
- At the torch. The torch is the source of the light.
- At the wall. The wall is where the reflected beam makes a spot.