3.3. Reflection of Light - Physics Chapter

Reflection of Light

• When looking in a mirror, a clear reflection of oneself is seen. This image is called an image.
• Mirrors reflect light. A piece of paper scatters light in all directions. A mirror reflects light in a similar direction.
• The surface of a mirror is a polishing surface, so it reflects light without scattering. Rough surfaces like paper scatter light.
• A mirror reflects all light in the same direction as the incoming light.
• The reflection of light travels in a straight line.
• The direction of a light ray can be determined by a straight line.
• The light ray that hits the mirror is called the incident ray.
• The light ray that bounces off the mirror is called the reflected ray.
• The normal is a line at 90° to the mirror at the point where the ray hits.
• The angle between the incident ray and the normal is the angle of incidence.
• The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is the angle of reflection.
• The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
• Using this law allows for the determination of an image from a flat mirror.