Physics students can do the Riverdeep SimLibrary activity, Reflections in a Plane Mirror . They explore the creation of images in a plane mirror by placing objects and light sources at different positions on a simulated optical bench. They trace the pathways of the light rays and observe where the images are formed. In these activities, they determine the relationship between distance of an object and its image from a concave mirror. Ask them to list 5 additional objects with diffuse reflection.
Partial reflection Ask students to look through the classroom window.
Have them describe the path of light through the window. Ask them to look through a window at home that evening after dark. Have them describe the differences in the behavior of the glass of the two windows. See if they can offer explanations. Set up two displays for the students.