Plane Mirrors – Lab Activity

Part A: Drawing reflected rays

1. Use the ray box to shine one ray of light along the incident ray toward the mirror (the mirror
is placed on the dotted line. Using a ruler, draw the reflected line (shown by the light).

2. For each drawing you must include the following labels: Normal, incident ray and reflected
ray. Measure the angle of the incident ray to the normal, and the angle of the reflected ray.
 What do you notice about the two angles?

Part B: Finding the image of a single point.

Step 1: Arrange the mirror on the line so the back of the mirror is directly over the line.

Where do you see the image? _______________________________

Step 2: Aim the light ray through the point to the mirror. Trace the reflected ray (created
with the light ray). Also mark the incident ray.

Step 3: Move the ray box to make another ray through the point (your incident ray should start
~ 2 cm away from your starting point). Trace both the incident and reflected rays (use a ruler!).

Step 4: Now extend the reflected rays beyond the mirror – be accurate. Mark the spot where
the two reflected rays intersect. This is where the image is – mark the spot the same size as
the original.
Part C: Image of an object.

Step 1: Shine a light ray across the very top of the arrow – trace the incident and reflected
rays. At a different angle, shine another light ray across the top of the arrow – trace the
incident and reflected rays.

Step 2: Extend your reflected rays (using a dotted line). Where these lines cross is the top of
the arrow.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the bottom of the arrow.

Step 4: Fill in the middle of the arrow, connecting the top and bottom.

Step 5: Replace the mirror and see how close your image is to the original arrow.

Try again….
Part D: A more complicated object.

Use the same technique to draw a more complicated object. Work as accurately as possible.

** Remember – 2 rays from the top and 2 from the bottom of each point.

Part E: Use what you’ve learned to draw the image of the person below.

What is the minimum size of mirror required to see the person’s full image? Cross out the part
of the mirror you don’t need.