Handout 5.

Name: ................................... [ ] Class: ............. Date: ...........................

NAVAL BASE SECONDARY SCHOOL

SECONDARY 1 G2/G3 2024
SCIENCE
CHAPTER 5: RAY MODEL OF LIGHT
LIGHT AND REFLECTION

HANDOUT 5.1

THEME: MODELS
Key Inquiry Questions in Models include:
1. Why is the construction and use of models important?
2. How do we know that the models used are appropriate representations of the real phenomena?
Essential Takeaways:
1. Models are simplified representations of phenomena that provide a physical, conceptual or
mathematical perception of reality.
2. Models are constructed to explain phenomena.
3. Models can be used to make predictions.

PRE-LESSON PREPARATION

Before the lesson, I’m ready!

– read and annotate the key points in the textbook from pages ...

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Key Inquiry Questions You should be able to: Not Got

(Topic- specific) Yet it
1. How do we represent o state that the ray model represents the path taken by
light? light

2. What is reflection and its o state the characteristics of the image formed by a
applications? plane mirror using the ray model of light
o describe the effects and uses of reflecting surfaces
(e.g., plane and curved mirrors)
o state the two laws of reflection

3. What happens when the o explain how reflection is affected by a smooth and
reflecting surface is rough? rough surface using the ray model of light

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 Handout 5.1
What is light?
Light is a form of energy that enables you to see.

Light travels in straight lines. (Go to textbook 1B Page 8 – interesting experiment)

Luminous objects give off light. (e.g. Sun)

Non-luminous objects do not give off their own light, but reflect light to be seen.

Example: the Moon is visible because it reflects light from the Sun

In a vacuum, the speed of light is around 3 × 108 m/s (or 300 000 000 m/s).

(Go to textbook 1B Page 9)

Ray Model of Light

They ray model of light is the representation of light with light rays.

What are light rays?

● Light rays are straight lines with arrows which show the path light takes.
● A bundle of light rays is called a beam of light.
● Light rays that are spreading out are divergent rays
● Light rays that are coming together are convergent rays
● Light rays that will not cross paths are parallel rays

divergent rays convergent rays parallel rays

How do we see?
1. Light from a luminous object reaches our eyes.
2. Non – luminous objects reflect light from other sources into our eyes.

(Try Q2 page 3 of Activity book 1B)

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 Handout 5.1

Shadows are formed when an object blocks light.

Opaque Translucent Transparent

object object object

Does not allow Allows some Allows light to

light to pass light to pass pass through Since light does not
through through completely bend around the
object, a shadow is
formed.
Light travels in straight lines.

Reflection of Light
The bouncing of light rays off a surface is called reflection.

Laws of reflection
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The normal, incident ray and reflected ray at the point of incidence, all
lie on the same plane.

Key Terms:

Term Meaning

Incident ray Incoming ray that strikes the surface

Reflected ray Outgoing ray that bounces off the surface

Normal Imaginary dotted line that is perpendicular to surface.

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 Handout 5.1
Angle of incidence, i Angle between the normal and incident ray

Angle of reflection, r Angle between the normal and reflected ray

Point where incident ray strikes the surface. Intersection point

Point of incidence
between the incident ray, reflected ray and the normal

(Fun Fact - Textbook 1B Page 11 – Phases of the moon)

There are two types of reflection:

● Regular reflection occurs when the surface is smooth

o Images can be formed on polished surfaces
● Diffuse reflection occurs when the surface is uneven or rough
o No images are formed or blurry images are formed.

Regular reflection Diffuse reflection

incident rays reflected rays incident rays

reflected rays

Eg. Plane mirror or any other surface This is like any surface that we
that produces a reflected image. can see but does not reflect an
image or reflects a blurry image.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

Question 1 - True or False: Only shiny objects reflect light. Explain your answer.
False. Rough surfaces can also reflect light, however, the reflected light rays may not be in
the same direction, hence it does not show a clear image.
Question 2
True or False: The laws of reflection of light is only true for smooth surfaces. Explain your answer.

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 Handout 5.1
False. The laws of reflection always apply. For rough surfaces, the light is reflected at
different angles because each ray of light is also incident on the surface at different
angles. However, each angle of incidence is still equal to each angle of reflection.

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 Handout 5.1
Mirrors

Type of mirror Properties of Images formed Applications

● Images appear the same size as the object ● periscopes in submarines
● Distance of object to mirror is the same as the distance of image to ● rear mirrors in cars
mirror (optional for N(A) Science – refer to Activity Book 1 B
● Images are upright and laterally inverted (left-to-right) ( page 13 -17), you may like to make your own
periscope)

Plane Mirror

● Images are virtual (cannot be formed on a screen)

Images are always Convex mirrors provide a larger field of vision.

● virtual, They can be used as side mirrors in cars, traffic
● upright and mirrors at corners or surveillance mirrors in shops
Convex Mirror ● diminished (smaller than the object)
(Curved
outwards)

● Images can be: ● microscope, magnifying glass, dental mirror

o real, inverted and magnified (larger than the object);
o real, inverted and the same size;
Concave Mirror
(Curved inwards) o real, inverted and diminished, or
o virtual, upright and magnified.

(Go to activity book 1B Page 9 Q3, 4 & 5) Adapted from Marshall Cavendish and other sources

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