Concepts

Reflection, Fresnel equations

Overview

A laser beam demonstrates the concept of reflection at shallow angles. The beam is directed at a piece of glass at a very low angle, nearly parallel to the surface, allowing us to observe how light reflects off the glass. The same experiment is conducted using a piece of cardboard.

Details

Equipment

• [1] Laser pointer
  
• [1] Piece of glass
  
• [1] Cardboard

Important Notes

• Lasers can cause blindness. Make sure the laser's direct beam and reflections are directed away from people.

Script

1. Put the glass on a flat surface.
   
2. Shine the laser at a low angle next to the wall to be able to see the reflection of the light on the wall.
3. Do the same for a the cardboard.

Additional Resources