Reflection and Mirrors

The Light and Sight Video Tutorial explains the importance of light to vision. Luminous and illuminated objects are contrasted to each other and the role of reflected light in viewing illuminated objects is described. The viewing of images in the mirror is discussed and attention is given to the path that light travels when viewing such images.

The Law of Reflection Video Tutorial introduces the vocabulary of reflection (incident ray, reflected ray, angle of incidence, and angle of reflection) and describes and illustrates the law of reflection. The application of the law of reflection to the viewing of images in plane mirrors is explained. Some examples of the use of geometry principles combined with the law of reflection are discussed.

The Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection Video Tutorial explains the difference between diffuse and specular reflection. The cause of each and the resulting consequences are explained.

Join The Physics Classroom as this lab activity and accompanying analysis are used to explore questions on Image and Image Formation with plane mirrors.

The Plane Mirror Image Formation Video Tutorial explains what an image is and why it is formed. Using a variety of animations and diagrams, Mr. H explains the meaning of an image and details why they are formed.

The Plane Mirror Image Characteristics Video Tutorial describes the image characteristics for plane mirror images. A collection of animations and diagrams are used to elaborate on the meaning of each characteristic.

The Ray Diagrams for Plane Mirrors Video Tutorial explains what a ray diagram is and demonstrates how to construct a ray diagram for a point object and an arrow object. Examples and applications of ray diagrams are discussed.

The 6-Foot Person Problem goes over a problem concerning a man standing in front of a mirror.

The Introduction to Curved Mirrors Video Tutorial explains what a spherical mirror is and identifies the two types (concave and convex), The terms associated with a curved mirrors "anatomy" are discussed. The manner in which light reflects off a curve mirror is explained.

The Concave Mirror Image Formation Video Tutorial This video tutorial lesson explains what an image is and how a concave mirror produces an image. Real images and virtual images are discussed and compared to each other. The characteristics of concave mirror images are described.

The Concave Mirror Ray Diagrams Video Tutorial demonstrates and explains how to construct ray diagrams for objects located in front of a concave mirror. Five examples are given.

The Concave Mirror Image Characteristics Video Tutorial utilizes the LOST Art of Image Description to describe the characterstics of the images formed by concave mirrors. The effect of object location upon these characteristics is emphasized.

The Image Formation by Convex Mirrors Video Tutorial discusses how light reflects off a convex mirror and uses the "rules" of reflection to explain how an image is formed by a convex mirror.

The Ray Diagrams for Convex Mirrors Video Tutorial demonstrates how to draw a ray diagram for objects located in front of convex mirrors. The characteristics of the image are described using the LOST Art of Image Description.

The Mirror Equation Video Tutorial explains how to use the mirror equation and the magnification ratio to solve Physics word problems. Four examples are discussed.