Reflection of Light

Reflection of Light

When a beam of light strikes a surface and a part of it returns into the same medium

Reflected Light

The light that is returned into the same medium after striking a surface

Incident Ray

The light ray that strikes a reflecting surface

Point of Incidence

The point where the incident ray strikes the reflecting surface

Reflected Ray

The light ray obtained after reflection from the surface, in the same medium as the incident ray

Normal

The perpendicular line drawn to the surface at the point of incidence

Angle of Incidence

The angle between the incident ray and the normal at the point of incidence

Angle of Reflection

The angle between the reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence

Plane of Incidence

The plane containing the incident ray and the normal

Plane of Reflection

The plane containing the reflected ray and the normal

Real Image

An image that can be obtained on a screen and is formed when light rays after reflection actually intersect

Virtual Image

An image that cannot be obtained on a screen and is formed when light rays after reflection do not actually intersect

Virtual Image Formation

The virtual image is formed when the reflected rays appear to meet when produced backwards

Real vs Virtual Image

Real image is formed due to the actual intersection of the reflected rays, while a virtual image is formed when the reflected rays appear to meet when produced backwards

Concave Mirror

A spherical mirror with the outer (or bulging) surface silvered

Convex Mirror

A spherical mirror with the inner surface silvered

Centre of Curvature

The center of the sphere of which the mirror is a part

Radius of Curvature

The distance of the center of curvature from any point on the surface of the mirror

Pole

The geometric center of the spherical surface of the mirror

Aperture

The plane surface area of the mirror through which light rays enter and fall on the mirror

Principal Axis

The straight line joining the pole of the mirror to its center of curvature

Focus of a Concave Mirror

A point on the principal axis through which light rays incident parallel to the principal axis pass after reflection from the mirror