Cloud GateCloud Gateakaaka

“The Bean”“The Bean”Learning about the reflective properties of one of Millenium Park’s most famous attractions.

Reflection

Light always travels in a straight line However, when light hits another substance, it will

change direction If a material is opaque opaque ((not allowing light to pass through, not

transparent.), the light will not pass through it but bounce off

The change in the direction of light is called reflectionreflection.

Texture of the Surface

The manner in which the light reflects depends on the surface’s smoothness

Notice that Cloud Gate has a smooth surface The light will end up reflecting in only one predictable

direction.

Reflected Angles

Angle of IncidenceAngle of Incidence: The angle between a ray that strikes a surface and the normal to that surface at the point of contact.

Angle of Reflection

Angle of ReflectionAngle of Reflection: The angle formed by the line normal to a surface and the direction which a reflected ray moves.

• Images will be the reverse of what is actually being done.• In the following, the object raises their left hand. The

opposite of left would be right. Therefore, the image will look as if they were raising their left hand

• Notice how in the picture, the man puts his left hand up against Cloud Gate.

• If we were looking in the reflections perspective, the image would be holding up their right hand

Concave Mirrors

A concaveconcave mirror is an inwardly curved mirrored Concave mirrors create a magnified image How big the image appears depends on how curved the

mirror

Under Cloud Gate, the mirror Curves inward. So, the bottom

Of Cloud Gate would be Considered a concave mirror

Convex Mirrors

• Convex mirrors are outwardly curved mirrors

• The image appears smaller

The outer part of Cloud Gate Curves outwards. Therefore, theOuter part, which is most visibleTo people, could be considered

A convex mirror.

Concave vs. Convex mirrors

Questions

What is a common nickname used for Cloud Gate?What is a common nickname used for Cloud Gate? What is a reflection?What is a reflection? Are mirrors commonly transparent or opaque?Are mirrors commonly transparent or opaque? Is the surface of Cloud Gate smooth or rough?Is the surface of Cloud Gate smooth or rough? If you were to stand in front of Cloud Gate and lift your right If you were to stand in front of Cloud Gate and lift your right

foot, would your reflection look like it was lifting its left foot or foot, would your reflection look like it was lifting its left foot or right foot?right foot?

If you stood under Cloud Gate, would your reflection be bigger If you stood under Cloud Gate, would your reflection be bigger or smaller than you are?or smaller than you are?

What is a convex mirror, and what is a concave mirror?What is a convex mirror, and what is a concave mirror? When buildings reflect off of the outer surface of Cloud Gate, When buildings reflect off of the outer surface of Cloud Gate,

they look smaller than they really are. How come this is true?they look smaller than they really are. How come this is true?