Reflection of Light
The process due to which the light rays fall on the surface, and get bounced back is known as a reflection of light. Light is recognized for its highly predictable behaviour. The behaviour of a ray of light as it reflects would satisfy a definite law known as the law of reflection if it could be seen approaching and reflecting off of a flat mirror. The law of reflection is shown in the diagram below.
There are several terms associated with the reflection of light which is as follows:
Incident Ray
The ray of light that straightaway falls on the reflecting surface from the object or a source is known as an incident ray.
Reflected Ray
The ray of light which is supposed to be reflected back after striking the reflecting surface is known as the reflected ray.
Angle of Incidence
The angle that is formed between the incident ray and the general at the point of incidence is known as the angle of incidence, and it is generally represented by ∠i.
Angle of Reflection
The angle that is formed between the reflected ray and the general at the point of incidence is known as the angle of reflection, and it is generally represented by ∠r.
Normal
A straight line perpendicular to the reflecting surface that acts as a separation between the plane of incidence and the plane of reflection is known as the normal.
Laws of Reflection
Laws of Reflection is a principle or rule that governs the phenomenon of reflection of light. The law of reflection states that a light ray will reflect off a surface at the same angle that it hit it when it comes into contact with it. The angle at which a light beam strikes a surface is known as the angle of incidence, and the angle at which the beam of light bounces off the surface is known as the angle of reflection. You can always determine how a light ray will behave, i.e., what direction it will go in and at what angle, by observing a single light ray approach and bounce off a flat mirror. In general, this is how the law of reflection works.
Now let us learn more about the Laws of reflection by understanding the concepts like What are the Laws of reflection? its formula, verification of laws of reflection, Laws of reflection for plane and rough surfaces, and examples of them.