![angle of reflection off a mirror angle of reflection off a mirror](https://d29rinwu2hi5i3.cloudfront.net/article_media/b6479bd2-2fe6-432f-826d-d3399c3ebf69/fig_3.jpg)
The amount of reflected light at the interface depends on the differences in refraction between the two adjoining materials. The law of reflection is usually explained in terms of a ray of light striking a mirror, but it applies to other types of waves as well. The laws of reflection are obeyed at all interfaces. Each time a ray of light strikes a boundary between two materials - air/glass or glass/water - some of the light is reflected. Light is also reflected when it is incident on a surface or interface between two different materials such as the surface between air and water, or glass and water. In both cases the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection at the point that the light ray strikes the surface. 2 Light reflection from a) smooth surface (specular reflection ) and b) rough surface (diffuse reflection). Reflection from such a rough surface is called diffuse reflection and appears matte.įigure. Consequently, the outgoing rays are reflected at many different angles and the image is disrupted. 2b) strike different regions which are inclined at different angles to each other. The law of reflection is still obeyed, but the incident rays (Fig. When the surface of water is wind-blown and irregular, the rays of light are reflected in many directions. We call the reflection from a smooth, mirror-like surface specular (as shown in Figure 2a). Just as images are reflected from the surface of a mirror, light reflected from a smooth water surface also produced a clear image. All Things EqualĪll reflected light obeys the relationship that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The dashed line (normal) is perpendicular to the surface. 1 Light reflected from a metal surface with angle of incidence i equal to the angle of reflection i'. 1 that the angles of incidence i and reflection i' are equal by joining the two angles with an equal sign.įigure. 1) at right angles to the mirror located at the point where the rays meet.
![angle of reflection off a mirror angle of reflection off a mirror](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/14-150127220157-conversion-gate01/95/light-19-638.jpg)
The law of reflection requires that two rays are at identical angles but on opposite sides of the normal which is an imaginary line (dashed in Fig. In Figure 1 we use a single line to illustrate a light ray reflected from the surface. Reflection involves two rays - an incoming or incident ray and an outgoing or reflected ray. A beam of light incident on the metal surface is reflected. Polished metal surfaces reflect light much like the silver layer on the back side of glass mirrors. A mirror has a smooth surface (compared with the wavelength of light) and so reflects light at specific angles. The walls in the room that you are in do not emit their own light they reflect the light from the ceiling "lights" overhead. What is it about objects that let us see them? Why do we see the road, or a pen, or a best friend? If an object does not emit its own light (which accounts for most objects in the world), it must reflect light in order to be seen. When the moon reflects from a lake, as shown in Figure 5, a combination of these effects takes place.The Reflection of Light All Things Reflected
![angle of reflection off a mirror angle of reflection off a mirror](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f7/d8/7c/f7d87cbd46001f6653d02ca903cb6079.jpg)
A mirror, on the other hand, has a smooth surface (compared with the wavelength of light) and reflects light at specific angles, as illustrated in Figure 4. Many objects, such as people, clothing, leaves, and walls, have rough surfaces and can be seen from all sides. Diffused light is what allows us to see a sheet of paper from any angle, as illustrated in Figure 3. According to laws of reflection, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle.
![angle of reflection off a mirror angle of reflection off a mirror](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ctxs9pinUs4/TmiOS3JSqRI/AAAAAAAAACc/oUCsnWRfM1o/s1600/1.gif)
Since the light strikes different parts of the surface at different angles, it is reflected in many different directions, or diffused. When the light rays gets stroked on the flat mirror and gets reflected back. We expect to see reflections from smooth surfaces, but Figure 2 illustrates how a rough surface reflects light. The law of reflection is illustrated in Figure 1, which also shows how the angles are measured relative to the perpendicular to the surface at the point where the light ray strikes. The angles are measured relative to the perpendicular to the surface at the point where the ray strikes the surface. The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence- θr = θi.