Understanding Reflection in Physics
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Reflection in Physics
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsTHE REFLECTION
WHAT IS REFLECTION?
• In physics, reflection refers to a phenomenon of change.
abrupt change of direction experienced by certain waves
(like light or sound), upon coming into contact with the
surface of separation of two different media and
changing, and causing part of the waves to return
from the middle of which they came.
TYPES OF REFLECTION
• Regular or specular reflection. Occurs when the surface
impacted is polished and regular, and the waves experience a
change of direction without changing the propagation medium.
• Diffuse reflection. It occurs when the impacted surface is
rugged or irregular, and therefore the waves are not reflected on
no direction, but rather they spread.
LAWS OF REFLECTION
• First law: The incident ray
the normal to the surface of
incidence and the reflected ray
they are on the same plane
• Second law: The angle of
incidence (alpha) and the angle
of reflection (beta) son
equal
TOTAL REFLECTION AND FIBER OPTICS
• Total internal reflection occurs when a ray of light passes from a denser medium to
one less dense and the angle of incidence is greater than the so-called 'limit angle'. In
At this point, instead of passing to the second medium, the light is completely reflected towards the
first medium. This phenomenon is essential in applications such as optical fibers, where
it is used to guide the light along the fiber and allow efficient transmission of
optical signals.
• Optical fibers are thin, flexible threads made of transparent material, such as
glass or plastic, which are used to transmit light over long distances.
REFLECTION AND REFRACTION (DIFFERENCES)
• The reflection of light occurs when it strikes against
a surface and bounces in the opposite direction. This
the phenomenon follows the law of reflection, where the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Reflection is
fundamental to understand how we see objects to
around us, as the reflected light reaches our
eyes
• On the other hand, the refraction of light occurs when
this passes through a transparent medium and changes its
speed, which causes a change in its direction. This
the phenomenon follows Snell's law, which relates the angles
of incidence and refraction with the speeds of light in
the two means.
• In summary, while reflection involves the bouncing of light
On a surface, refraction refers to the change of direction.
what light experiences when passing from one medium to another. Both
phenomena are fundamental for understanding the
behavior of light in different situations and are key
in various aspects of optics and vision.
EXAMPLES OF LIGHT REFLECTION
• The flashes of sunlight on the walls when they hit the screen
polishing of a cellphone or a wristwatch.
• The possibility of seeing ourselves in a mirror, whose very polished surface allows
return the beams of light to our eyes.
• The very existence of colors is due to reflection: white light
it impacts everything, and these reflect only certain wavelengths
(the others are absorbed) that are captured by our eyes.
• The colors and shapes seen on the surface of a soap bubble,
the result of the reflection of light on the delicate surface of the bubble.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
• There is another possible meaning of the word reflection that has nothing to do with the
physics, but it comes from the same etymological root: the Latin word reflexionis,
composed of re ("back") and flectere ("to bend" or "to deflect"). Thus, "to reflect"
it would be 'to bend back', and in a figurative sense, it implies looking back at the
time, that is, thinking about what has been lived, revisiting what has happened, that is to say, reflecting.
• Obviously, a reflection is not necessarily a review of the past, but
it can also consist of an anticipation of the future or an inquiry into the present,
but in any case, it always has the sense of a deep thought or a review
(that is, "to see again") of things in any field.
EXERCISES
1) If the refractive index of crow glass is 1.52, what is the speed of light in that glass?
N= 1.52 n = c/v v.n = N V = c/n
V= ? V = 300000 / 1.52
C= 300000 V= 197.4
• What is the difference in speed that light experiences when it passes from air to
water?
nAire= 1 nAgua= 1.3
8 8
Vaire=3x10m/s/1=3x10m/s
8 8
Vagua=3x10m/s/1.3=2.31x10m/s