6A10.31 - Mirrors - Large Corner Cube Reflector

Code Number:
6A10.31
Demo Title:
Mirrors - Large Corner Cube Reflector
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Reflections Set at 90 Degrees
Area of Study:
Optics

Disclaimer

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.
PDF icon University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Question #108
PDF icon University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Answer #108

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.