• Question: Why do we see reflections in water?

    Asked by hammond96 to Cat, Daz, Holly, Johnson, Pamela on 14 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by jaimie.
    • Photo: Pamela Lithgow

      Pamela Lithgow answered on 13 Jun 2011:

      You see a reflection because the water changes the direction of the waves which hit it and send them off again in a single direction (this single direction depends on the angle of the incoming light)
      Hope that helps
      Pam

    • Photo: Cat O'Connor

      Cat O'Connor answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Hi Hammond96,

      I think Pam has answered your question perfectly! Let us know if you have any more questions!

    • Photo: Darren Braddick

      Darren Braddick answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Hi Hammond96

      I’m not sure- I expect Pam has the right answer! But isn’t it a good sight? Especially when you see reflections of whole cities on the riverside. My university is the furthered from the sea but has many streams of water around it, many trees – very beautiful campus.

      Sorry I couldn’t do better… Forgive me

      Daz

    • Photo: Johnson Soronnadi

      Johnson Soronnadi answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Hello Hammond & jaimie,

      Waaooooooooooo!!! A memory recall of my physics exam question.

      I think Pam said it all. Reflection involves change in direction of waves ( light waves) when they bounce off a barrier (e.g mirror, water surface). In this case water surface is the barrier. Light is known to behave in a very predictable manner by reflecting an incoming light at a certain angle on hitting the water surface. As the water surface is unstable you see different reflections as water wave changes direction. The angle of the reflected light will depend on the angle on the angle of the incoming light (incidence light). I think the law is called the law of reflection.

      I remembered flashing a torch light at different angles on the mirror in my room and into a bath full of water. reflection from the mirror was stable compared to the bath.

      My physics left me long time ago. I hope the answer helps.

      Johnson.

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