6.04 Reflected Light

6.04

Reflected Light

Smooth Surface

When light reflects from a smooth surface, like a mirror, shiny metal, or glass, light rays are reflected back in the same direction, which allows us to see our image on the smooth surface. 

Rough Surface

When light reflects from a rough surface, like a rock or a table, it bounces off in all directions. Reflections can still be given off of rough surfaces, but it is hard to tell what is being reflected.

What do we know?

• Light is what allows us to see an object.

• We see objects when light reflects off the objects and enters our eyes.

• Some objects reflect more light than others.

• A smooth surface reflects light rays in the same direction.

• A rough surface reflects the rays of light in different directions.

Multiple Choice

An object with a smooth surface....

• reflects rays in the same direction.

• reflects rays in different directions.

Multiple Choice

An object with a rough surface....

• reflects rays in the same direction.

• reflects rays in different directions.

REMEMBER

No single experiment is going to prove all of this, but we can look at these things one at a time.

Once we know what question or fact we want to prove, we can test it with an experiment. If our experiment is designed properly and can produce the same results every time, that is usually enough proof.

What reflects more?

Some objects reflect more light than others. Even though you may not see a reflection in the snow, there is no question that it is great at reflecting light. Grass, on the other hand, would not have the same effect. People in the North sometimes talk about snow-blindness, but no one has ever heard of grass-blindness.

REMEMBER

Light reflects off everything we see. In fact, that's the only reason we are able to see it. Not everything produces a reflection, though. Sometimes, light reflects in a bunch of different directions because the surface it's striking is not smooth. Those objects are reflecting light and some reflect light better than others.