Light diffraction

Turn on the lasers by touching the metal plate.

Bend the mirror. Are you able to make all the beams join in one spot?
What is the shape of the mirror when the light beams are brought together?

Also try

Put a lens or a glass rod in front of the light beam.
What happens to the light where it enters and leaves the glass?
At which direction is the light diffracted as it enters and leaves the glass?

Fun facts

When light travels from air to glass the beam is diffracted because light travels at a lower speed in the glass than in the air. When the speed of the light is reduced, it diffracts towards the axis of incidence (see figure below). When the light leaves the glass the speed of the light increases and the light diffract away from the axis of incidence.

Refraction

When the light beams are brought together in one spot, the mirror has a parabolic shape.

Before you leave place the lenses and the glass rods on top of the rear part of the exhibit.