Name ________________________ Hour _____
Law of Reflection
Diffused and Specular Reflection
plus Mirror Images
Reflection Definitions:
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/reflection.html
Directions: Open the web site listed above and complete the questions/activity below:
Define the following:
Incident Wave :
Reflected Wave :
State the Law of Reflection:
Specular Reflection :
Diffuse Reflection :
Simulation #1:
Open the following simulation and record your observations.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/reflection/index.html
To adjust the incident angle, simply move the slider labeled Incident Angle and the wave
angle will change. The wavelength of the incident beam can also be changed using the
"Wavelength" slider. As the value of the wavelength is changed, the color will change to
reflect the color of light at the given wavelength. Complete the tables below:
Incident Angle (0)
Reflected angle (0)
Incident
Wavelength (nm)
0.0
418
10.0
478
20
546
30
580
Color of Light
50
598
60
670
70
497
Was the law of reflection verified with this simulation? ______________
Does color affect the angle of reflection? ________________
Omit Simulation 2
Simulation #3: Reflection from a Concave Mirror
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/mirrors/concave.html
To operate the applet, simply move your mouse curser over to the soldier, click on the
left-hand button and move him back and forth to adjust the reflection. The size of the real
image produced by the mirror will change with changes in the distance between the
soldier and the mirror.
Describe the image produced by a concave mirror. Compare the image to the object.
(Discuss position, size, color, vertical orientation, etc.)
A reflected ray passes through a point F on the principle axis. What is the name of this
point? _______________ What was the position of the incident ray to the principle axis
that produced this reflected ray through point F? __________________________
Why is this a real image? ______________________________
Simulation #4: Virtual Image from a Concave Mirror
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/mirrors/concave1.html
The concave mirror tutorial demonstrates virtual images generated by this type of mirror.
In order to operate the applet, simply move the mouse cursor over to the smaller soldier,
click on the left-hand button and move him back and forth to adjust the reflection.
Describe the virtual image made by the concave mirror. (Discuss position, size, color,
vertical orientation, etc.)
The object is located between point ___ and ____ to make a virtual image.
The image is larger when the soldier is located closer to point ___.
How is a virtual image different from a real Image?
Simulation #5: Convex Mirror Images
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/mirrors/convex.html
The convex mirror applet demonstrates reflection patterns generated by this type of
mirror. In order to operate the applet, simply move your mouse curser over to the soldier,
click on the left-hand button and move him back and forth to adjust the reflection.
The convex image is located ___________ the mirror. (in front of, behind)
The image is _________ than the object. (larger, smaller, equal in size)
Describe other characteristics of the convex mirror image.
State the "virtual" path (path behind the mirror) for a incident ray from the object that
travels:
a. parallel to the principle axis: ________________
b. Toward the center of curvature (point C): ____________________
c. Draw a concave and convex mirror below. Label the principle axis, focal point,
center of curvature and vertex (point P)