Reflection from Flat Surfaces Concept

Demonstrations in Reflection from Flat Surfaces

White optics board with ray projector at left edge projecting a single ray that reflects off a black plane mirror mounted magnetically on the board

Blackboard Optics Plane Mirrors

Visible light rays reflect off plane mirrors on the blackboard optics board, demonstrating. Mirrors can be combined to build periscopes, corner reflectors, and other multi-mirror systems.
Green laser pointer mounted in a clamp on a blue stand, aimed at a flat mirror lying on the table; green incident and reflected beams form an X pattern on the mirror surface; fog machine with red button visible behind the mirror
Safety

Laser and Mirror

A green laser aimed at a flat mirror demonstrates the law of reflection . Fog or chalk dust makes the incident and reflected beam paths visible, giving students direct visual …
View through glass tank showing a bright lamp reflected in rippled colored water, with the reflection elongated into a vertical streak
Safety

Rippled Reflection

Students observe how rippled water transforms the reflection of a point light source into a vertical pillar of light, demonstrating that the law of reflection applies locally at each surface …
Corner cube retroreflector with reddish-brown wooden frame holding three perpendicular mirrors, showing reflected workshop environment with a clock visible, on a green surface
Safety

Retroreflector

Demonstrates that three mutually perpendicular mirrors reflect light directly back toward its source regardless of incident angle. Students see image inversion (180° rotation) and the apparent corner-tracking effect unique to …
White PVC tube periscope with black angled end caps containing plane mirrors, lying on a table with an eraser for scale

Periscope

Demonstrates the law of reflection and ray tracing with two plane mirrors. Rotating the mirror attachments changes the image orientation, showing that mirror angle determines the output ray direction.
Large hinged front-surface mirrors on a semicircular protractor base, set at approximately 60 degrees with a small light bulb between them showing multiple reflected images

Hinged Mirror, Multiple Images

Demonstrates how two hinged plane mirrors create multiple images through successive reflections. Students verify the relationship by counting images at various angles, and observe the "true mirror" effect at 90°.
A black holoscope with rotation knob (left), a colorful student kaleidoscope (center), and a second viewing device (right), all with eyepiece lenses visible

Kaleidoscope

Demonstrates multiple reflections and symmetry using kaleidoscopes (three mirrors at 60° producing six-fold symmetry) and a holoscope (reflective tube with holographic diffraction grating). Students observe how mirror geometry determines pattern …
Paper mask with rectangular cutout mounted on a ring stand platform at head height, stabilized with a lead brick; a meter stick alongside provides scale

Size of Image

A masked plane mirror shows that a mirror only half the size of your face can display your complete reflection, regardless of viewing distance. Demonstrates the geometry of plane mirror …
A hand touches the wick of the unlit candle behind a glass plate; the lit candle in front reflects in the glass, making both candles appear lit. A lead brick supports the glass.
Safety

Cold Candle

Demonstrates virtual image formation by plane reflection. A glass plate reflects the flame of a lit candle so that it appears to coincide with an unlit candle behind the glass, …
Wooden box with half-silvered mirror front; interior lights on, revealing a werewolf mask inside. A stuffed teddy bear sits in front of the box as the "volunteer."
Safety

Half-Silvered Mirror

A half-silvered mirror simultaneously reflects and transmits light. By varying the lighting inside a box behind the mirror with a variac, a volunteer's reflection gradually transforms into a monster mask …
Optical cable light source on a lecture bench with a hand holding a bronze mirror disc, reflecting light toward a wall
Safety

Chinese Magic Mirrors

Solid bronze mirrors with elaborately carved backs project the reverse-side pattern when reflecting bright light. Students see how microscopic surface curvature variations, created by casting stresses and polishing, affect reflection …