Law of Reflection

Reflection

The process in which light bounces off a surface and changes direction instead of passing through the material.

Law of Reflection

A fundamental rule stating that the angle of reflection equals

Angle of Incidence (θ_i)

The angle between the incoming light ray and the line perpendicular (normal) to the surface at the point of contact.

Angle of Reflection (θ_r)

The angle between the reflected light ray and the line perpendicular (normal) to the surface at the point of contact.

Normal (Perpendicular to the Surface)

An imaginary line drawn at right angles to a surface at the point where a light ray strike.

Specular Reflection

Reflection from a smooth surface (compared to the wavelength of light) in which light reflects at a single, well defined angle.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection from a rough surface in which light is scattered in many different directions s.

Smooth Surface

A surface whose irregularities are much smaller than the wavelength of light causing speculation reflection.

Rough Surface

A surface whose irregularities are comparable to or larger than the wavelength of light, causing diffuse reflection.

Scattered Light

Light that is reflected in many directions due to interaction with a rough surface.

Mirror

A smooth reflective surface that produces clear images by reflecting light according to the law of reflection.

Mirror Image

An image that appears to be located behind a mirror and is formed by reflected light rays following the law of reflection.

Virtual Image

An image formed where light rays appear to originate, but do not actually converge (such as an image seen in a plane mirror)

Image Distance in a Plane Mirror

The distance of the image behind the mirror is equal to the distance of the object in front of the mirror.

Because they reflect light diffident. (Therefore visibility from Rough Surfaces)

Why are the objects like papers, walls. And clothing are visible from many angles?

Telescope Reflection

Large telescopes use reflection from mirrors to collect and focus light from distant astronomical objects.

Corner Reflector

An object made of two mutually perpendicular reflecting surfaces that reflects incoming light back parallel to its original direction.

Retroreflector

A device that returns light back in the direction of from which it can, regardless of the angle of incidence.

Corner Reflector Property

The reflected ray from a corner reflector is always parallel to the incident ray.

Three-Dimensional Corner Reflector

A reflector made of three mutually perpendicular surfaces, used in 3D and radar applications.

Radar Reflector

A corner reflector designed to strongly reflect radio waves back to radar systems, improving object visibility.

Bicycle Reflector

A common application of corner reflectors that sends headlight beams back toward drivers, increasing object visibility.

Apollo Moon Corner Reflector

A reflector places on the Moon that allows laser beams from Earth to be reflected back, enabling precise Earth-Moon distance measurements.

Stealth Aircraft Design Principle

Stealth aircraft minimize radar detection by avoiding perpetuating (90°) corners that would cause strong radar reflection.

θ_r = θ_i

Law of Reflection Formula

Ray Reversibility Principle

If a light rays follows a certain path, it will retrace the same path if its direction is reversed.