Sanchez, Charles Francis B.

Conclusion
Based on the data gathered from the
experiment, the laws of reflection were
verified using various mediums. The angle
of incident and angle of reflection was said
to be 10o for trial 1, for the second trial 30 o,
and for the third trial 60o. The percent
difference for all trials was 0%. In activity 2
using two laser pointers illuminating a
concave and convex reflecting surface, the
percent difference was 3.98%. In activity 3
using a concave mirror, the image formed by
a spherical and plane mirror was
characterized. In the last activity using a
convex mirror, the observations are upright,
virtual image, which were smaller than the
object. Therefore, upon the type of mirror
used for reflection of light the use of
reflecting surface also varies. The law of
reflection therefore states that when a ray of
light reflects off a surface, the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

Application
1. It was said that in 250BC,
Archimedes was able to set fire to a
Roman fleet using a mirror. In your
opinion, what kind of mirror was
this? Why?
Answer: Archimedes most likely
used a concave mirror, because
convergence of light rays is observed
for said kind of mirror. Convergence
via concave mirrors simply focuses
the light rays into one focal point and

direction. This heightens the

intensity of the reflected light on the
focal point, ultimately allowing the
combustion of wood and other
flammable material on a ship.
2. What type of mirror is used as side
mirrors for cars? Why?
Answer: Convex mirrors are
typically used as side mirrors for cars
due to a convex mirrors ability to
extend the field of vision. A greater
field of vision is needed by the driver
to be able to navigate safely on the
road.
3. A convex mirror is normally placed
in supermarkets. Why?
Answer: A convex mirror reflects
light away from it in such a way that
the virtual image formed behind the
mirror becomes smaller compared to
the actual objects being mirrored.
This would mean that a greater field
of vision is generated, without
having the need to add additional
mirrors, making it easier to spot
possible
shoplifters
or
other
situational mishaps.
4. Give practical applications of
reflection of light.
Answer: Listed below are some
practical applications of reflection of
light:
a) The reflection in the street when
something is under construction
b) In the back and in the pedals of
the bicycle (theres reflection)
5. What is the use of mirrors in
physical therapy?

Answer: The main use of mirrors in

physical therapy is primarily for
mirror rehabilitation or mirror
therapy. Mirrors are used for the
purpose of providing feedback to the
brain. It is prominently used as a
method of treating phantom limb
pain. This is experienced usually by
those
who
have
undergone
amputation surgery. The patients are
given this treatment to help them
identify that the cause of pain is nonexistent and this results in a
significant decrease in the phantom
limb sensations.
6. The wall of a room is completely
covered with a plane mirror. How
wide will the room appear?
Answer: Virtual images generated
from plane mirrors have the same
size as the actual objects being
mirrored. For this reason, the whole
room would appear to have doubled
in terms of size and volume.
7. An object is placed 25.0cm in front
of a mirror. How far is the image of
the object from the mirror if the
mirror is a) plane b) concave of focal
length= 20.0cm c) convex of cocal
length= -20.0cm?

actual objects being mirrored, so the

image of the object in this case
would also be 25.0cm away from the
mirror.
b) concave of focal length = 20.0cm?
The image formed would be 15.0cm
from the mirror and it will be a
smaller, inverted real image of the
object.
c) convex of focal length = -20.0cm?
The image formed would be -20.0cm
from the mirror (sign only denotes
that the location of the image is
opposite to the side of the actual
object) and it will be a smaller,
upright virtual image of the object.

REFERENCES:
http://physics4chynyein.blogspot.com/2012/
04/experiment-9-concave-and-convexmirrors.html
Law of Reflection. Physics Classroom.
Retrieved on 9/26/15 from

Answer: a) plane?
Virtual images generated from plane
mirrors are similar in size with the

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/refl
n/u13l1c.cfm