GCSE Physics: Understanding Reflection and Image Formation

Physics Quiz - Waves - Reflection 01 (Questions)

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

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

What is an incoming ray of light called?

[ ]	Reflected ray
[ ]	Normal
[ ]	Incident ray
[ ]	Ray Charles

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

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

What are properties of images produced by plane mirrors?

[ ]	Virtual
[ ]	Upright
[ ]	Laterally inverted
[ ]	All of the above

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

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

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

Which type of surface would provide the best reflection?

[ ]	Rough
[ ]	Smooth
[ ]	Jagged
[ ]	They all reflect as well as each other

10.

Which of the following devices uses the principle of reflection?

[ ]	Newtonian telescope
[ ]	Fibre optic cables
[ ]	A mirror
[ ]	All of the above

Physics Quiz - Waves - Reflection 01 (Answers)

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
[x]	Reflect
[ ]	Disappear
[ ]	Change amplitude

They bounce off the surface in a predictable way

What is an incoming ray of light called?

[ ]	Reflected ray
[ ]	Normal
[x]	Incident ray
[ ]	Ray Charles

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

What is the law of reflection?

[x]	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

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
[x]	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)

What are properties of images produced by plane mirrors?

[ ]	Virtual
[ ]	Upright
[ ]	Laterally inverted
[x]	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

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
[x]	32 degrees
[ ]	58 degrees
[ ]	122 degrees

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

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
[x]	64 degrees
[ ]	154 degrees

Remember the law of reflection

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
[x]	All of the above

This is why reflection is so predictable