KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Waves - Reflection and Refraction? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Waves - Reflection and Refraction today?

now

$Waves - Reflection and Refraction$

Mirrors reflect light.

Waves - Reflection and Refraction

In this GCSE Physics quiz, you’ll practise reflection diagrams, measure angles accurately, and check you really understand what happens when light hits smooth and rough surfaces.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

For reflection on a smooth surface, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, which is the law of reflection.

In GCSE Physics, this reflection quiz helps you work with incident and reflected rays, normals, and measured angles. You’ll see how the law of reflection applies to mirrors and shiny surfaces.

Key Terms

Incident ray: The ray of light that travels towards and strikes a reflective surface.
Reflected ray: The ray of light that leaves a surface after bouncing off it.
Specular reflection: Reflection from a smooth surface that produces clear, sharp images.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the law of reflection in GCSE Physics?

The law of reflection in GCSE Physics states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, with both angles measured from the normal to the surface.

How do I measure angles of incidence and reflection?

To measure these angles, draw the normal at 90° to the surface, then use a protractor to measure the angle between the normal and each ray, not between the rays themselves.

What is the difference between specular and diffuse reflection?

Specular reflection happens on smooth surfaces and gives clear images, while diffuse reflection happens on rough surfaces and scatters light so no sharp image is formed.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

A light ray is reflected off the surface of a plane mirror at 40^o to the normal. What is the angle of reflection of the reflected ray?

30^o

40^o

50^o

60^o

The angle of reflection is always equal to the angle of incidence. This is known as Snell's Law or the law of reflection

2 .

What determines how fast light travels in a medium?

Size of the medium

Shape of the medium

Refractive index of the medium

Colour of the medium

The higher the refractive index, the slower the wave travels and the more it will bend on entering the medium

3 .

What equation can be used to calculate the refractive index of a substance?

Refractive index = 1 x sin c

Refractive index = 1 / sin c

Refractive index = 1 – sin c

Refractive index = 2 / sin c

Using two different types of glass that have different refractive indices to make compound lenses for optical instruments avoids the defect of chromatic aberration

4 .

The critical angle of diamond is 24 degrees. What is its refractive index?

0.6

4.9

2.4

0.4

Diamond has a small critical angle which means a lot of light is totally internally reflected - this is why diamonds are so sparkly

5 .

Another equation for calculating the refractive index of a substance is ...

Refractive index = sin i x sin r

Refractive index = sin r / sin i

Refractive index = sin c / sin r

Refractive index = sin i / sin r

Whichever way that you work it out, the refractive index has no units

6 .

If light enters a medium with an angle of incidence of 23 degrees and has an angle of refraction of 18 degrees, what is the refractive index of the medium?

0.12

1.3

0.8

0.7

Simple substitution into the equation

7 .

If a shiny surface is not smooth, what will happen to light rays incident upon it?

They will be reflected in numerous directions

They will be reflected towards one point

They will pass straight through the material

The light will be absorbed by the material

Each tiny section of the surface still follows Snell's law

8 .

When a light ray travels from air into glass, what can you say about the size of the angle of refraction compared to the angle of incidence?

It is bigger

It is the same

It is smaller

It is zero

Glass is a more dense medium than air therefore the light refracts towards the normal

9 .

What direction does the incident ray bend when travelling from glass to air?

Towards the normal

Towards the glass

Towards the sea

Away from the normal

This is exactly the opposite to the case in the previous question because the light is travelling from a more dense medium into a less dense medium

10 .

Which of the following can reflect light?

Mirror

Water

Glass

All of the above

Light can be reflected by most surfaces. The above are examples of a few which can be regularly observed in our daily lives. It does not just have to be a mirror which reflects light

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Reflection and refraction of waves

Author: Martin Moore