Large Plexiglas Corner Cube
Corner Cube Reflectors
Glass and Plastic Corner Cube Reflectors

 

Code Number: 6A10.31

Demo Title: Mirrors - Large Corner Cube Reflector

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Reflections Set at 90 Degrees

Area of Study: Optics

Equipment:

Corner Cube Mirror Demos, and Laser.

Procedure:

Another mirror set and 90 degrees to the two perpendicular mirrors will produce a straight back reflector as can be demonstrated with a laser.  Shine the laser into any place of the corner reflector and the ray will be reflected back to the point of origin.

References:

  • Frank Kowalski, "Reflectance Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 31, #3, Mar. 1993, p. 153, also Referenced in Resource Letter TLC-1, Teaching Light and Color, Demonstration Experiments Resource Articles.
  • Paul Chagnon, "Animated Displays II: Multiple Reflections", TPT, Vol. 30, #8, Nov. 1992, p. 488.
  • N. I. Robb, "Teaching Reflection from a Corner Cube Reflector", TPT, Vol. 29, #4, Apr. 1991, p. 255.
  • William R. Cochran, "Mirror Wall Tile and the Triple Reflector", AJP, Vol. 50, #8, Aug. 1982, p. 765.
  • L. C. Corrado, "Ray Reversal by the Corner Reflector", AJP, Vol. 40, #12, Dec. 1972, p. 1860.
  • "O-130. Three Mirrors - Corner Cube", DICK and RAE Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ob-6", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ob-4", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Jearl Walker, "6.71. Landing in the Dark Behind Enemy Lines", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 270.
  • Jearl Walker, "6.70. Retroreflectors", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 269.
  • Jearl Walker, "6.44. Heiligenschein and Opposition Brightening", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 258.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "P.3. Three-Corner Reflector", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 179.
  • Exploratorium, "Corner Reflector", The Magic Wand & Other Experiments & Color, p. 25 - 29.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Retroreflector", Astronomy for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, p. 172 - 173.
  • C. Harvey Palmer, "Experiment A4: Demonstration of the Redirective Properties of Prisms and Plane Mirror Devices", Optics - Experiments and Demonstrations, John Hopkins Press, 1962.
  • Forrest Mims III, "How to Make and Use Retroreflectors", Make: Forrest Mims' Science Experiments, p. 141.
University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Question #108
University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Answer #108