Reflection of Light: Definition, Laws of Reflection, Regular and Diffused Reflection

Reflection of light

Definition

When light is attached to the surface of an object, it can pass through it, be absorbed, or bounce back after hitting that object. When the rays of light are dependent on an object and those rays return after colliding with that object or surface, then it is called Reflection of light.

1. The ray of light that falls on an object is called the Incident ray and the ray that comes back after striking the surface of the object is called the Reflected ray. 
2. The angle formed between the incident ray and the normal to the point of incidence is called the Angle of Incidence. 
3. The angle formed between the reflected ray and the normal is called the Angle of Reflection.

Any surface when properly polished becomes smooth. That smooth surface reflects almost all the light falling on it. If a surface does not reflect any light, it appears dull black like black ink.

Law of Reflection

When a ray of light is reflected from a smooth surface, it obeys certain laws. This is called the law of reflection. There are two laws of reflection

• Law 1 : The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.

• Law 2 : The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.

For an incident ray of light falling on the mirror, there is only one reflected ray.

Laws of reflection for plane and curved mirrors. The laws of reflection will apply in both.

Create your own shadow with reflected objects

Reflecting surface does not allow light to pass through and reflective surface also does not absorb light as a result of which when light falls on a reflecting surface its shadow appears behind. All objects reflect light, but the amount of light reflection varies from object to object.

Light rays 1 and 2 cross directly above the mirror. Light ray 3 touches the front of the mirror and explains the length of the shadow. Light rays 4, 5, 6 and 7 are stopped and reflected by the mirror. As a result the shadow of this mirror is formed behind it.

Regular and Irregular (diffused) Reflection

1. When a ray of light falls on a reflecting surface, it gets reflected. 
2. The direction and amount of reflected light depends on the nature of the surface. 
3. When a ray of light falls on a smooth reflecting surface such as a mirror, it is transformed in a specific direction. For this reason, a smooth surface produces a clear and clear image. 
4. Reflection of light from a smooth and plane mirror is called Regular reflection.

Diffuse reflection

1. When the rays of light fall on the rough reflecting surface, then it diverges in different directions. As a result, the reflected light falls on a larger area and the image obtained is not clear and distinct. This type of reflection is called diffuse reflection. 
2. Therefore, reflection from an uneven surface is called diffuse reflection. For example, walls and paper and many other common objects are examples of diffuse reflection because the reflection from them occurs in different directions.

Through the law of reflection of light, we get to know about the formation of image. It also tells us whether the reflection is regular or diffuse.