REFLECTION OF LIGHT
Objective: The learners should be able to describe what happens when light is reflected.
Have you looked inside a kaleidoscope? Small
beads or pieces of colored glass are reflected by mirrors,
forming colorful, ever-changing patterns. Kaleidoscopes
are optical instruments, devices that use arrangements
of mirrors or lenses to produce images. In this lesson,
you will learn that when the light strikes an object, the
light can be reflected, absorbed, and transmitted.
Reflection occurs when light bounces back
as it hits a reflecting surface, such as a mirror.
This phenomenon can be described using light
rays. The ray of light that hits the reflecting
surface is called an incident ray. After hitting the
surface, it bounces off as a reflected ray. The
incident ray and the reflected ray form angles
with the normal line, which is a line
perpendicular to the reflecting surface. These
angles are called angle of incidence and angle
of reflection, respectively.
The relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection is illustrated
in the law of reflection. This law states that the angle of incidence, the angle of reflection, and
the normal line are found on the same plane; and the angle of incidence is equal to the angle
of reflection.
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.
There are two types of reflection: regular
reflection and irregular reflection. Regular
reflection, also known as specular reflection
occurs when light strikes a smooth surface like a
mirror, and light rays are reflected in one
direction. Irregular reflection or diffuse
reflection occurs when light strikes a rough
surface, and light rays are reflected in random
directions.
Guide Questions:
1. What is a reflection of light?
2. Explain the Laws of Reflection?
2. What are the two kinds of reflection light?
3. How is the reflection of light used in real life?
4. How do we use reflection in everyday life?
5. How does light help us to see?
6. Why is the reflection of light important in our daily life?
