Reflection of Light

Questions and Answers

The change in direction of light when it bounces back from a surface

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

Irregular reflection

1 / f = 1 / do + 1 / di Signup and view all the answers

The image is virtual and erect Signup and view all the answers

The distance of the image is equal to the distance of the object Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The change in direction of light when it bounces back from a surface is called reflection of light.
The bouncing back of light from a surface without being absorbed or transmitted is an example of reflection.

First Law: The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal to the mirror at the point of incidence lie in the same plane.
Second Law: The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Regular Reflection: Occurs when light falls on a smooth surface, resulting in a clear and sharp image. (e.g., mirror, still water)
Irregular Reflection: Occurs when light falls on a rough surface, resulting in a blurred or distorted image. (e.g., rough paper, moving water)

The relationship between the object distance, image distance, and focal length of a mirror is given by: 1 / f = 1 / do + 1 / di where f is the focal length, do is the object distance, and di is the image distance.

The image is virtual and erect.
The image is of the same size as the object.
The image is laterally inverted (i.e., left and right are reversed).
The distance of the image from the mirror is equal to the distance of the object from the mirror.

Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal to the mirror at the point of incidence lie in the same plane.
Angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Relationship between object distance, image distance, and focal length of a mirror: 1 / f = 1 / do + 1 / di

Image is virtual and erect.
Image is of the same size as the object.
Image is laterally inverted (left and right are reversed).
Distance of image from the mirror is equal to distance of object from the mirror.