Measuring reflected light: do and review
I can investigate how changing the angle of a mirror affects the angle of reflected light.
Measuring reflected light: do and review
I can investigate how changing the angle of a mirror affects the angle of reflected light.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- If you change the angle that light hits a surface, the angle of reflection will also change.
- Mirrors are highly reflective. They are sometimes used to deliberately change the direction that light travels.
- Reflected light bounces off the surface at the same angle as it hits it.
- When you measure angles, it is acceptable for results to vary slightly because it is difficult to measure perfectly.
Keywords
Reflected - If light is reflected it is bounced off a surface.
Angle - An angle is the space between two straight lines which join at a vertex or point.
Protractor - A protractor is a piece of equipment used to measure and draw angles.
Results - The results of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.
Evidence - Evidence is information which helps us to prove that something is true or not true.
Common misconception
Only shiny surfaces reflect light. Light does not always travel in straight lines when it bounces off a mirror.
The lesson gives the children a chance to explore reflection of light in mirrors to see for themselves that it does reflect in a straight line.
Equipment
Torches, mirrors, sticky tack, protractors, large sheets of paper, marker pens.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
