Reflection of Light
Reflection - occurs when light bounces back as it hits a surface
- reflected light entering our eyes allows us to see objects
Light - emitted from the source is radiated in all directions
- travel in straight lines
- reflected depending on the angle at which it hits the surface
Law of Reflection
- i=r
o i – angle of incidence
o r – angle of reflection
Example:
Imagine you shine a flashlight at a
mirror. If the light hits the mirror at an
angle of 30° to the surface, it will
bounce off at the same angle, 30°, on
the other side.
Incident Ray – a ray of light that strikes a surface
Reflected Ray – light rays that bounce off a surface
Normal – imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the mirror
Angle of Incidence – the angle formed between the incident ray and the normal
Angle of Reflection – the angle between a reflected ray and the normal drawn
Types of Reflection
Regular Reflection Diffused Reflection
When light reflects off a smooth surface When light reflects off a rough surface
(mirror or water) and creates a clear and scatters, causing no clear image (e.g.,
image. reflection off a wall).
All light rays bounce off the surface at the Light rays reflect in many different
same angle directions because the surface is not
uniform
Image Formation for Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors - reflective surfaces made up of glass
Types of Mirrors
Curved
Plane Concave Convex
Properties
- is a flat, smooth reflective surface that - convex mirror is curved
- curved inward
creates images by reflecting light in a outward
- reflect light rays inward,
predictable way - mirrors spread light rays
converging at a point called the
outward, so they diverge after
focus (or focal point)
reflection
Virtual Real No
Type of Image Virtual (before (after image Virtual
focus) focus) (focus)
Orientation of Upright
Upright Inverted
None Upright
Image
Size of Image Same size Larger Smaller None Smaller
Position of Behind the mirror
Varies depending on object
Behind the mirror
Image position
Application Household mirrors Makeup mirrors, telescopes Car mirrors, security mirrors
