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## Reflection of Light Objects can be seen by the light they emit, or by the light they reflect. How can we see an object which does not produce light itself? We can see the object when light falls on it. Both the sun and the moon give light upon the earth. However, the sun produces its own energy...

## Reflection of Light Objects can be seen by the light they emit, or by the light they reflect. How can we see an object which does not produce light itself? We can see the object when light falls on it. Both the sun and the moon give light upon the earth. However, the sun produces its own energy and its own light. The moon gets its light from the sun. Just as the sun illuminates the earth, it also illuminates the moon. The surface of the moon reflects the sun's light, making it appear bright in our sky. Reflection occurs when light changes direction after bouncing off a surface like a mirror. When a parallel beam of light falls on a smooth, shiny surface, the reflected beam of light is also parallel and regular, traveling in a definite direction. This type of reflection is called a regular reflection. **Fig. 16.3 Regular reflection** When a parallel beam of light falls on a rough or irregular surface, the reflected beam is irregular, scattered in different directions. This type of reflection is known as an irregular or diffused reflection. ### Let Us Revise **Fill in the blanks** 1. Rectilinear propagation of light means that light travels in a **straight** line. 2. Irregular reflection occurs from **rough** surface. 3. Shadow is formed as a result of **rectilinear** propagation of light. 4. **The** give diffused reflection. 5. The shadow of a cricket ball on a wall will be ## Plane mirrors A mirror that we use to see ourselves is an ideal reflecting surface. Any polished surface that forms a clear image of objects by reflecting the rays of light is known as a mirror.