---
title: "Reflecting light"
description: "Notice that surfaces reflect light, and that smooth, shiny surfaces can form clear reflected pictures while rough surfaces scatter reflected light"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reflecting-light-mt_gLy3ZgZWiN
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reflecting-light-mt_gLy3ZgZWiN.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Reflecting light

Notice that surfaces reflect light, and that smooth, shiny surfaces can form clear reflected pictures while rough surfaces scatter reflected light

Subject: Science · Area: Waves, Light & Sound · Ages 7 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reflecting-light-mt_gLy3ZgZWiN

## Ready when they can

- 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

## Lesson: Reflecting light

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.

*(drawing: A rough wall reflects light too. It does not need to show your face to be visible.)*

**Example.** 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.

**Example.** 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.

**Recap.** Smooth and rough surfaces reflect light. A smooth, shiny surface can show a clear picture; roughness can scatter the reflected light.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Light & seeing in the dark](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/light-and-seeing-in-the-dark-mt_4i-FKXDDXh)
- [Light & sound vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/light-and-sound-vocabulary-mt_YPSx5pbpVl)

## Opens up

- [How we see objects](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-we-see-objects-mt_6w2g7aoPgz)
- [Reflection & Refraction](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reflection-and-refraction-mt_PifbJOuXrG)