Reflecting light
Notice that surfaces reflect light, and that smooth, shiny surfaces can form clear reflected pictures while rough surfaces scatter reflected light
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain that light bounces off surfaces, which is called reflection
- Identify that smooth, shiny surfaces such as mirrors and still water can form clearer reflected pictures than rough surfaces
- Give everyday examples of reflection: mirror, puddle, polished floor
1 · Read
When light bounces off a surface, we call it reflection. Light can reflect from smooth surfaces and rough surfaces.
A smooth mirror keeps reflected light in a pattern that can show a clear picture. Tiny bumps on a rough surface send reflected light in many directions. This scattering does not form a clear picture.
A shiny spoon can show a picture of your face. Light from your face reflects off the spoon into your eyes. The spoon's curved surface may change the picture's shape.
Mia sees her face in a still puddle. Wind makes ripples. The surface now slopes in different directions, so the reflected picture becomes distorted.
A shiny spoon reflects light, but its curved surface can change a face picture's shape. A flat mirror can show an undistorted face picture. Curving the surface changes the picture, not the face.
Polishing can smooth tiny scratches on a metal spoon. If the surface becomes smoother and shinier, its reflected picture can become clearer.
A misted mirror has tiny water droplets on its surface. The droplets scatter light and blur the reflected picture. Removing the droplets can make the picture clearer.
Smooth and rough surfaces reflect light. A smooth, shiny surface can show a clear picture; roughness can scatter the reflected light.
Original readings and flashcards about reflected light, written for this dataset.
2 · Watch
Take it off screen
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.