Experimenting with Light: Reflection and Refraction

Playing with light is a great way to learn about how it behaves. Two big ideas we’ll talk about are reflection and refraction. Let’s look at some fun experiments you can try!

Reflection

The Simple Mirror Experiment:

What You Need:

• A flat mirror
• A flashlight
• A protractor (a tool for measuring angles)

Steps to Follow:

1. Point the flashlight at the mirror at an angle.
2. Use the protractor to measure the angle of incidence. This is the angle between the flashlight beam coming in and a straight line that goes out from the mirror.
3. Look at the angle of reflection. This is the angle between the beam that bounces off the mirror and that same straight line.

What You’ll See: According to the law of reflection, the angle you measure when the light hits the mirror will be the same as the angle of light bouncing back. In simple terms, they are equal!

Refraction

The Water Experiment:

What You Need:

• A clear glass or plastic container
• Water
• A straw
• A flashlight

Steps to Follow:

1. Fill the container with water and set it on the table.
2. Put the straw in the water and take a good look at it.
3. Shine the flashlight at the surface of the water from an angle.

What You’ll See: When you shine the flashlight, the straw will look like it’s bent at the top of the water. This happens because light travels at different speeds in air and water. This bending of light helps us understand refraction!

Conclusion

Doing these simple experiments helps us see and understand how light works. Each time we observe something, it not only matches what we learn in class but also shows us how light is part of our daily lives. So, gather your materials and start discovering the amazing world of light!