LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

Teacher Portal:

Light and Optics

Investigation 3 – Lab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 3

BE PREPARED

Supplies and Equipment:

  • Group Materials:
  • 4 wood blocks
  • 4 small mirrors
  • 1 5 cm ball of clay
  • 1 bear, large (12g)

Individual Materials:

  • 1 Student Data Record

Teacher Preparation:

1. Place the materials at a central location.

2. Divide the class into five cooperative groups.

Instruction:

1. Ask one student from each group to obtain: four (4) woodblocks, four (4) small mirrors, one (1) 5 cm ball of clay and one (1) large bear.

GET FOCUSED

Investigation Three introduces students to the reflection of light off of multiple mirrors.

INVESTIGATE

 

1. This lab allows students to continue to explore reflection and apply the Law of Reflection to view an object that is hidden from their direct view. The object will be a bear that is hidden in a “cave” made of woodblocks. Students will use four small mirrors to reflect the light from the bear out of the cave so they can view the bear’s image in the last mirror of the series. After conducting the experiment, students should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Can light be reflected more than once?
  • Does the Law of Reflection apply when several angles of incidence and reflection are used?
  • How does changing the angle of incidence affect the angle of reflection?

2. Instruct students to follow the procedures in Problems 1, 2, and 3 in their Student Data Record set up the experimental design of the Investigation.

3. Monitor the progress of each student group for approximately twenty minutes. If students experience difficulty, suggest the mirror positions shown below. This image is NOT available to students. It is also included in the KEY section below for ease in showing the graphic to students during lab if necessary.

4. As a class, discuss how the Law of Reflection enabled students to view the image of the bear in the mirror at the back of the cave. Ask students to record the results of the discussion in Problem 5 in their Student Data Record.

KEYS

CLEAN UP

Let students know your expectations for clean-up. Ask them to clean up.