My PBL Project

Optics

Reflection

Mirror

Incident ray

Reflected ray

Normal

Law of Reflection

Introduction

Infinity images are a gateway into the Physics concept of optics and reflection. The mirrors in this experiment reflect a single image back and forth an infinite amount of times.

Fundamental principals

Optics is a branch of physics which involves the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Reflection occurs when light hits the surface of an object and bounces off it. It is a major component of Optics, and can be divided into two kinds, Specular, and Diffuse reflection. Specular reflection describes glossy surfaces, which reflect light in a predictable way. Diffuse reflection describes opaque and non limpid materials. One such glossy surface is a mirror. A mirror is an object which reflects light, and preserves much of the light's original quality after contacting it. An incident ray is a ray of light that strikes a surface, while a reflected ray is a ray that represents the light reflected by a surface.

The Laws of Reflection state:

1. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the reflection surface at the point of the incidence lie in the same plane.

2. The angle which the incident ray makes with the normal is equal to the angle which the reflected ray makes to the same normal.

3. The reflected ray and the incident ray are on the opposite sides of the normal.

Materials

Procedure

1. Place the two mirrors inside the cardboard box, (make sure they are parallel and facing one another).

2. (optional) Add lights around the edges of the mirror.

3. Observe the infinity effect.

Safety Regulations

There are no safety precautions necessary for this project.