Laws
and
Reflection
What is the law of
reflection ?
The law of reflection states that the
incident ray, the reflected ray, and the
normal to the surface of the mirror all lie in
the same plane. Furthermore, the angle of
reflection is equal to the angle of
incidence. Both angles are measured with
respect to the normal to the mirror.
Types of Reflection
Irregular Reflection
Regular Reflection
Irregular Reflection
Unlike mirrors, most natural surfaces are rough on
the scale of the wavelength of light, and, as a
consequence, parallel incident light rays are
reflected in many different directions irregularly, or
diffusely. Hence, diffuse reflection helps in seeing
the objects and is responsible for the ability to see
most illuminated surfaces from any position.
Regular Reflection
The plane mirrors with a smooth surface produce
this type of reflection. In this case, the image is
clear and very much visible. The images
produced by plane mirrors are always virtual, that
is they cannot be collected on a screen.
In the case of curved mirrors with a smooth
surface, we can see the images of reflection either
virtually or really. That is, the images produced by
curved mirrors can be either real , or virtual .
Differences between Regular
and Irregular Reflection
Irregular Reflection Regular Reflection
• It occurs when for a • It occurs when all the
given set of parallel reflected rays from a
incident rays, the given smooth surface
reflected rays do not are parallel to the
remain parallel to each parallel incident rays.
other. • This occurs from
• This occurs from rough
smooth surfaces like a
surfaces like wood, mirror, silver spoon, etc.
table, door, book, etc. • The image is formed
• It helps to see objects.
and seen.
No images or blurry
images can be seen.
What is the two law of
reflection?
Two laws of reflection are.
(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
(ii) Incident ray, reflected ray and the normal drawn at the point of
incidence to the reflecting surface, lie in the same plane.
(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The first law of reflection states that when light is reflected from a
surface, the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of
reflection, where both the angles are measured from the path of the
light to the normal to the surface.
(ii) Incident ray, reflected ray and the normal drawn at the point of
incidence to the reflecting surface, lie in the same plane.
According to the laws of reflection, the incident ray, the reflected ray
and the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence all lie in the
same plane. Also, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection.
What Is Angle of Reflection?
The angle of reflection 0r of a ray is the angle
measured from the reflected ray to the normal
surface.
Calculation of Angle of
Incidence and Angle of
Reflection
The angle of incidence and the angle of reflection
are calculated by drawing a normal line that is
perpendicular to the reflecting surface.
Uses of Reflection
• Reflection is used in periscopes to view advancing
enemies on the battlefield from a safe position.
• Reflection is the reason why we see objects.
• Reflection by a concave mirror and a convex mirror has
many uses as listed above.
• Reflection helps in medical diagnosis and optical
communications.
• Light and Sound both follow the law of reflection, both
being waves.
• Using the law of reflection for sound and light, we can
measure the distances accurately to objects.
• Reflection is the reason why we hear the echo of sound.