Drawing Ray Diagrams
Draw ray diagrams to show reflection at a plane mirror (angle of incidence = angle of reflection) and refraction at a boundary between media; use ray diagrams to locate images and explain how lenses and mirrors work
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Drawing Ray Diagrams means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.”
Bring to the table
- A torch or phone light and a blank wall OR a rubber band / ruler for sound
- Paper for notes
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Move the torch closer: the shadow gets bigger. Distance caused the change.
Optional challenge. For Drawing Ray Diagrams, add one harder example after success.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: examples tried; results; support used. This session samples Drawing Ray Diagrams, not mastery.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Drawing Ray Diagrams means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: A torch or phone light and a blank wall OR a rubber band / ruler for sound; Paper for notes. 1. Say the goal of Drawing Ray Diagrams in plain words once. 2. Adult makes one light or sound change (shadow size, or pitch by tightening) and names what changed. 3. Child makes three controlled changes and records what they see or hear. 4. Fresh check: one fresh cause-and-effect observation. Record and stop. Done: three recorded light/sound changes with a cause each. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceDrawing Ray Diagrams practice
Practice key ideas from Drawing Ray Diagrams.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Wave on a String
Before you open · source notes
Wave on a String supports hands-on exploration for Drawing Ray Diagrams. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Wave on a String.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Draw a ray diagram for a plane mirror showing the incident ray, normal, reflected ray, and virtual image
- Draw a ray diagram showing a ray bending towards the normal when passing from air into glass
- Use a ray diagram to locate the image formed by a convex lens and describe whether it is real or virtual
“Can your child draw a diagram showing how a ray of light bounces off a mirror or bends when it passes from air into glass — labelling the angles correctly?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Representational
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 12–13