Teacher Resources
The Physics Classroom has been devoted to helping students, teachers, and classrooms since the 1990s. We are as passionate about that mission now as we have ever been. If you are a teacher of Physics or Physical Science, we encourage you to use our Video Tutorial with your students. And we also encourage you to consider the use of other resources on our website that coordinate with the video. We have listed a few below to help you get started.
Physics Interactives: Concave Mirrors Image Formation
This simulation provides students with a virtual light box for exploring the reflection of light off concave mirrors and the manner in which such reflection leads to the formation of an image of a complex object. Students tap on various points upon an object. A ray diagram is quickly constructed and the location of the image of that point is marked by a pixel on the screen. The process can be repeated for a variety of points or the student can select to have the simulation draw all the rays in automated fashion. Awesome sim! Comes with a classroom-ready activity sheet.
Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Mirrors
This simulation provides a playful way to learn. Alter a variable, experiment with a system, and interact with the simulation in order to find out how nature works. Our Optics Bench simulation allows students to explore the reflection of light by curved mirrors and the formation of images. The object location and height and the mirror focal length can be easily altered. The simulation comes with an activity sheet.
Curriculum Corner, Reflection and Mirrors
Multimedia Physics Studios - Reflection and Mirrors Animations
There are several animations in our Mutlimedia Physics Studios that are similar to those shown in the video. Each animation is accompanied by a written explanation. They may be good additions to a Lesson Plan.
Tutorial on Reflection and the Ray Model of Light, Lesson 3
When you need to quickly review a topic and/or freshen up on a concept, The Tutorial section of our website is your go-to place. Many teachers include these as links for students on their course management sites. The page below on curved mirrors was the basis for this video.
Reflection of Light and Image Formation
Teacher Toolkits: Image Formation by Curved Mirrors
We love our Teacher Toolkits. We hope you do as well. They include a collection of links to vetted resources throughout the web that are standards-based and multi-media driven.