Science
Light
Year One
Science | Year 3 | Light | Marvellous Mirrors | Lesson 3
Success Criteria
Aim
Some surfaces reflect light better than others.
The surfaces that reflect light best are smooth, shiny and flat.
This is because the light rays bounce off these surfaces at the same angle.
If light hits a rough surface, the light rays all bounce off at different angles, meaning the light is scattered. It does not reflect well.
Reflective Surfaces
When the light rays hit the smooth mirror, they all bounce off at the same angle, creating a clear reflection.
When the light rays hit a rough surface, they scatter in all different directions, so it doesn’t reflect well.
What Is a Mirror?
The most familiar type of mirror is a plain mirror, which has a flat surface.
Plain mirrors are commonly made of a flat, polished piece of glass with a shiny metal backing, such as silver or aluminium.
The light reflected by a mirror preserves most of the characteristics of the original light, so it creates a clear image.
An image in a mirror appears to be reversed. For example, if you look in a mirror and raise your right hand, the mirror image appears to raise its left hand.
Click the light bulb to try the ‘How we see things’ activity.
Using Mirrors
Can you use the mirrors to reflect the beam of light onto the different objects?
You are going to play two different mirror games.
While you are playing the games, think carefully about how the mirrors are reflecting light.
Use your Mirror Games Activity Sheet to record your thoughts and ideas.
Mirror Games
In this game, you should use your mirror to write a mirror message to your partner.
1. Write a short message in normal writing (between one to three words is enough). Then hold a mirror at the right hand side of the page, so you can see your message reflected in the mirror.
2. Copy the message you see in the mirror onto another piece of paper, so that your writing is reversed.
Mirror Messages
3. Swap messages with your partner, and hold the mirror at the left hand side of the page. Can you read their message in the mirror?
4. Think about how the mirrors helped you read the messages.
Outside or in the Hall you will find a wavy line on the floor.
Hold a mirror over your head so you can see the line and your feet reflected in it.
By looking only in the mirror, try to follow the wiggly line from one end to the other.
Take your time when carrying out this task and be very careful.
Why does only being able to look in the mirror make this hard?
Mirror Maze
For this task, you will become the quiz master!
You will create a quiz for someone else in your class to try out.
You should think of questions about mirrors and reflective surfaces.
Remember to make an answer sheet so that the person who does your quiz can mark their work!
Marvellous Mirrors Quiz
When you have finished, swap quizzes and see if you can answer the questions correctly.
Marvellous Mirrors
Quiz Results
Success Criteria
Aim