Drawing Ray Diagrams
Draw ray diagrams to show reflection at a plane mirror (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and refraction at a boundary between media; use ray diagrams to locate images and explain how lenses and mirrors work
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“Can your child draw a diagram showing how a ray of light bounces off a mirror or bends when it passes from air into glass — labelling the angles correctly?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Draw ray diagrams to show reflection at a plane mirror (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and refraction at a boundary between media; use ray diagrams to locate images and explain how lenses and mirrors work
What to notice. Draw a ray diagram for a plane mirror showing the incident ray, normal, reflected ray, and virtual image • Draw a ray diagram showing a ray bending towards the normal when passing from air into glass • Use a ray diagram to locate the image formed by a convex lens and describe whether it is real or virtual
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1 approach
Can your child draw a diagram showing how a ray of light bounces off a mirror or bends when it passes from air into glass — labelling the angles correctly?
Draw ray diagrams to show reflection at a plane mirror (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and refraction at a boundary between media; use ray diagrams to locate images and explain how lenses and mirrors work
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Check understanding
- Draw a ray diagram for a plane mirror showing the incident ray, normal, reflected ray, and virtual image
- Draw a ray diagram showing a ray bending towards the normal when passing from air into glass
- Use a ray diagram to locate the image formed by a convex lens and describe whether it is real or virtual
“Can your child draw a diagram showing how a ray of light bounces off a mirror or bends when it passes from air into glass — labelling the angles correctly?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Representational
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 12–13