P12.

3
Teacher practical

Investigating reflection and refraction

Specification references
 P6.1.3 Reflection of waves
 P6.2.2 Properties of electromagnetic waves 1
 WS 1.2, 2.2, 2.4

Aims
In this experiment, students will explore the behaviour of water waves as they are
reflected and refracted, and compare this behaviour to the behaviour of light.

Learning outcomes
After completing this practical, students should be able to:
 describe how water waves behave when they are reflected
 describe the behaviour of water waves when they are refracted by a change
in depth
 design a practical procedure to test a law.

Teacher notes
This experiment involves the students exploring the movement of water waves as
they are reflected or refracted.
In the first activity, the students produce plane water waves and watch as these
are reflected by a barrier. They should see the reflection of the wavefronts (crests)
as the waves reach the barrier. This needs to be linked to the direction of travel for
the wave in order to discuss the law of reflection.
In the second activity, the wavefronts pass over an obstacle that makes the water
shallower. Students should be able to note that there is a change in wavelength
and therefore a change in the speed of the wave. By adjusting the position of the
submerged block the students should also see the change in direction that can
happen during refraction.

Task 1 answers
1 The wave(front)s are reflected (1), the angle of reflection appears to be
the same as the angle of incidence (1), the wavelength stays constant (1),
the speed of the waves appears to remain constant. (1) (4 marks)

Task 2 answers
1 The wave direction stays the same (1), the wavelength decreases (1),
the speed decreases. (1) (3 marks)
2 The wave direction changes (1), the wavelength decreases (1),
the speed decreases. (1) (3 marks)

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 1
 P12.3
Teacher practical
Student follow-up answers
1 The law of reflection seems to hold for water waves: the angle of reflection
appeared to be equal to the angle of incidence, as it is for light reflecting
from a mirror. (1 mark)
2 The student should describe a simple experiment which would give evidence
for the law of reflection for water waves. Award 1 mark for each of these
features of the plan:
 suitable equipment list
 description of producing plane waves (vibrating ruler or beam)
 barrier to reflect waves
 changing angle of incidence
 method of measuring of angles of incidence and reflection
 suitable table for results. (6 marks)

Additional support
The student sheet could be edited to split the practical into two separate tasks,
allowing different groups of student to perform the different activities.

Technician notes

Safety
 students should clean up any water spill immediately it presents a slipping
hazard
 they should keep the lamp as far away from the water as possible and not
touch the lamp or electrical supply with wet hands
 ensure electrical equipment is safety tested.

Equipment
 a plastic tray (standard lab tray)
 water
 a ruler
 some plastic blocks about 1 cm in height (plastic or similar material) that are
more dense than water so that they sink
 a desktop lamp will make the wave crests easier to see.

© Oxford University Press 2017 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

This resource sheet may have been changed from the original. 2