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Water is wonderful for reflections!

Waves - Reflection 01

Reflection happens when waves bounce off a surface instead of passing through it. Use this quiz to practise ray diagrams and examples like mirrors and road signs.

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Fascinating Fact:

Reflection is important in devices such as periscopes, reflectors on roads and bikes, telescopes, and some optical instruments.

In GCSE Physics, this quiz on wave reflection helps you practise how light and other waves bounce off surfaces. You’ll use the law of reflection to predict directions of travel.

Key Terms

Wave: A vibration that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter overall.
Reflection: When a wave bounces off a surface instead of passing through or being absorbed.
Normal: An imaginary line drawn at 90° to a surface where a ray hits it.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is reflection in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics, reflection is when a wave, such as light or sound, bounces off a surface. The angle it arrives at equals the angle it leaves, measured from the normal.

What are everyday examples of reflection of light?

Everyday examples include seeing yourself in a mirror, car headlights reflecting from road signs, periscopes in submarines, and telescopes using mirrors to form clear images.

What is the law of reflection and why is it important?

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. It is important because it allows us to design mirrors, periscopes and optical instruments accurately.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

A ray of light is shone onto a plane mirror with an angle of incidence of 32 degrees. What is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal?

68 degrees

32 degrees

58 degrees

122 degrees

The angle of incidence is always measured between the ray and the normal line

2 .

What is the law of reflection?

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

Angle of incidence < Angle of reflection

Angle of incidence > Angle of reflection

Angle of incidence = The normal

A wave will always reflect off a surface at the same angle at which it hit

3 .

Which type of surface would provide the best reflection?

Rough

Smooth

Jagged

They all reflect as well as each other

A polished smooth surface would be even better!

4 .

What are properties of images produced by plane mirrors?

Virtual

Upright

Laterally inverted

All of the above

Pepper's ghost relies on these properties. If you haven't heard of this look it up in a physics book or online

5 .

A ray of light reflects from a plane mirror with an angle of reflection of 64 degrees. What was its angle of incidence?

36 degrees

26 degrees

64 degrees

154 degrees

Remember the law of reflection

6 .

Which of the following devices uses the principle of reflection?

Newtonian telescope

Fibre optic cables

A mirror

All of the above

Reflection of light is very useful indeed!

7 .

What will all waves do when they are incident, at a certain angle, on surfaces that do not allow the waves to pass through?

Diffuse

Reflect

Disappear

Change amplitude

They bounce off the surface in a predictable way

8 .

What is an incoming ray of light called?

Reflected ray

Normal

Incident ray

Ray Charles

In the study of waves, incident always indicates something to do with the incoming wave

9 .

Which of the following statements are true?

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

The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie in the same geometric plane

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

All of the above

This is why reflection is so predictable

10 .

What is the normal?

It is a line perpendicular to the light source

It is a line parallel to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence

It is a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence

It is a line parallel to the light source

It is a construction line, in other words, it is a line drawn to help with calculations of reflection (and refraction)

Author: Martin Moore

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