Reflection & Refraction
State the law of reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and explain refraction as the change in speed and direction when light crosses a boundary between two media; apply ray diagrams for plane mirrors and refracting surfaces
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
If your child put a straw in a glass of water and it looked bent at the surface, could they explain why that happens — drawing a diagram to show the path of light at the water’s surface?
State the law of reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and explain refraction as the change in speed and direction when light crosses a boundary between two media; apply ray diagrams for plane mirrors and refracting surfaces
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
No reviewed resources for this concept yet.
The teaching approach above still stands. Curated practice links — and later lock-ranked options — will appear here as the shelf fills.
Explore the learning path
4 before · 3 after
Before
This concept
Check understanding
- States the law of reflection and applies it to draw a reflected ray correctly
- Draws a ray diagram for a plane mirror showing a virtual image
- Explains why a pencil looks bent in a glass of water using refraction
- Explains qualitatively why light bends towards the normal when entering a denser medium
“If your child put a straw in a glass of water and it looked bent at the surface, could they explain why that happens — drawing a diagram to show the path of light at the water’s surface?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 11–12
Standards