Reflection of Light
he phenomenon, known as “reflection” or “reflection of light,” occurs when a
light beam strikes any polished, smooth, or bright object and bounces back
to our eyes. This phenomenon gives us a basis on which to view the
environment. Light propagates in a straight line before, after, and during
reflection. For example, the twinkling of stars or the light that a mirror
reflects.
Here is the list of important terminologies used in Reflection of Light as
shown in the figure above:
• Normal: A perpendicular drawn to the reflecting surface at point M
(known as the point of incidence) is called the normal to the reflecting
surface.
• Incident Ray: A ray of light that falls on the reflecting surface from a light
source or an object is called the incident ray.
• Reflected Ray: A ray of light that arises from the reflecting surface after
reflection from it is called a reflected ray.
• Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and normal to
the point of incidence on the reflecting surface is known as the incident
angle or Bugle of incidence. It is denoted by ∠i.
• Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal
to the point of incidence on the reflecting surface is known as the angle of
reflection. It is denoted by ∠r.
• Principal axis: It is defined as a line that divides the two mediums or the
reflecting surface is called the principal axis.
Laws of Reflection
You must understand two necessary Laws of reflection after learning what it
means. These rules can be used to calculate how the incident ray will reflect
on different materials, such as a plane mirror, water, metal surfaces, etc.
Here are the laws of reflection, as they apply to a plane mirror.
• The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie on the same plane.
• The angle of incidence (∠i) is always equal to the angle of reflection (∠r).
Types of Reflection of Light
Regular/Specular Reflection
A bright and sharp reflection, similar to those you see in mirrors, is referred to as a
specular reflection. A uniform layer of a substance that is highly reflecting, such as
powder, is applied to glass to create a mirror. This reflecting surface consistently
reflects approximately all of the light that strikes it. The angles of reflection between
different points don’t vary all that much. This indicates that the haze and blurring
have been virtually gone.
Diffused Reflection
In general, reflective surfaces other than mirrors have a highly rough surface. This
might be the result of surface dirt or traces of wear and tear, including scratches and
dents. Even the substance the surface is constructed of might be important at times.
All of this causes the reflection to lose both brightness and quality.
When compared between sites on such uneven surfaces, the angle of reflection is
completely random. When rays strike rough surfaces, they are reflected in radically
different directions despite incidents at slightly different spots on the surface. We can
perceive non-shiny objects because of a reflection type known as diffused reflection.
Reflection of light from the Plane Mirror
The light beams are reflected back when they strike the flat mirror. The angle of
incidence and reflection are equal, according to the laws of reflection. Behind the
plane, which is visible in the mirror, is where the image is obtained. A reflection on a
plane mirror is the method by which a virtual, erect mirror image.
The plane mirror always produces an erect, virtual image. The object’s size and the
image’s size are both the same. The distance between the produced image and the
mirror is the same as the position distance of the object. Images that are laterally
inverted are obtained.
Differences between Regular and Irregular Reflection
Regular Reflection Irregular Reflection
Regular Reflection occurs at smooth Irregular Reflection occurs on rough surfaces
surfaces such as plane mirrors etc. such as wood etc.
The reflected rays and the incident rays However, in irregular reflection, both incident
are parallel to each other after and reflected rays are not parallel to each
reflection, in this case. other, after reflection.
An image is formed and visible after But in this case, a distorted image is formed
regular reflection. which is not clearly observed.
