Learn about the reflection of light in this video segment adapted from Shedding Light on Science. Ball bearings are used to represent photons and illustrate the reflective property of light. A beam of light traveling through a water table demonstrates how two different surfaces—a mirror and a paper card—reflect light. Although light always follows the law of reflection, see how the seemingly smooth paper is actually rough and affects the way the light is reflected. Ray diagrams and a demonstration of ball bearings dropped onto smooth and rough tiles illustrate why reflected light is scattered from rough surfaces.

This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.