In this online laboratory, you will determine the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection when using a flat mirror. Read through the tabs below to see the instructions, the laboratory report requirements, and the rubric that will use to grade the report.
Laboratory Instructions
Laboratory Report
Grading Rubric
Smart Science Light Reflection Laboratory
At the beginning of each laboratory, you should do some background research about the concepts. Make sure to summarize your findings in the background research part of your formal lab report. By the end of this lab, you will be able to answer the question, “What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection?” with data to support your answer.
Click the link to enter the Smart Science laboratory environment. Find the Light Reflection lab. This experiment gives you four light colors, a flat mirror, and different incident angles. You will measure the angle of reflection to determine the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection.
Once you open the lab, answer the multiple-choice questions provided to help you begin to think about the activity and hit “submit.” Then read through the explanations and hit close. On the next screen, read through the procedure summary and select a prediction.
Once you're comfortable with the process, press the "Explore" tab to get started. You can press "Close" if you are reminded to make a prediction. Choose “White” from the Color list and press the green “Play” button. Watch the instruction video to determine how to take your measurements.
Once you are finished, DO NOT close the lab activity online. You will need this information to write your laboratory report.
For this laboratory, you will be writing a formal laboratory report. Make sure to review the parts of a laboratory report and include each of these sections in your submission.
| Title | The title of the laboratory report tells the reader what you did in the experiment. Make it brief but include enough information to help the reader understand what was tested. |
| Introduction | The first part of the introduction summarizes the purpose of the experiment. This part is likely going to be only a paragraph in length. The second part of the introduction provides a summary of the background information that is needed to understand the experiment. In other words, this is a brief report on the background research that you performed to define the problem and design the experiment. The last part of the introduction is a statement of your hypothesis. |
| Materials | This section is simply a list of the materials that are needed to perform the experiment. Remember, one of the goals of communication is to allow for another person to repeat your experiment, so be specific and thorough. |
| Procedure and Methods | This section should describe the methods and procedures used to perform the experiment. It should include a description of how to control the experiment as well as when and how to take measurements and observations. You can include a diagram of the setup if it is helpful to the reader. |
| Data | This section includes the raw data that was collected when the experiment was completed. Make sure the data is organized and presented in data tables that are easily read and understood. In this section, do not discuss the results... that comes later. |
| Analysis and Results | This is where you discuss the results of the experiment. The data section contains the raw data and this section would contain any calculations (like averages) that were made. In this section is where you interpret the data. You will refer to any figures and graphs in this section using numerical references (i.e. Figure 1, Graph 1). |
| Conclusions | The conclusion is a simple summary of what happened in the experiment. Discuss whether or not the data supported the hypothesis or not. Also, include a discussion on any unexpected error that was introduced into the experiment and how you might improve the experiment if doing it again. |
| Figures and Graphs | Use this section to display any graphs that you create from the data and analysis of the data. In the case of the paper airplane lab, a graph would include the paper weight on the x-axis and the distance flown on the y-axis as a line graph. This would show the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. Make sure to label these with numbers to reference in your Analysis and Results section. This laboratory should include a graph that compares mass to acceleration. |
| References | The last thing you need to provide is any references you used for your background research. You should include at least two or three creditable resources, if not more. |
Take a look at the laboratory report rubric that will be used to grade this report. Once you have finished writing your laboratory report, turn it in to your teacher.
Report Components |
3 points | All required elements are present and additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added. |
Purpose |
5 points | The purpose of the lab or the question to be answered during the lab is clearly identified and stated. |
Background Information |
10 points | Report illustrates an accurate and thorough understanding of scientific concepts underlying the lab. |
Materials, Procedures |
5 points | All materials and setup used in the experiment are clearly and accurately described. |
Methods |
5 points | Procedures appear to be replicate. Steps are outlined sequentially and are adequately detailed. |
Data, Graphs, and Figures |
5 points | Professional looking and accurate representation of the data in tables and/or graphs. Graphs and tables are labeled and titled. |
Analysis |
10 points | The relationship between the variables is discussed and trends/patterns logically analyzed. Predictions are made about what might happen if part of the lab were changed or how the experimental design could be changed. |
Conclusion |
5 points | Conclusion includes whether the findings supported the hypothesis, possible sources of error, and what was learned from the experiment. |
References |
5 points | Several reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words. |
