**Reflection of Light**

When light strikes a surface, it can either be absorbed, transmitted, or reflected. Reflection occurs when light bounces off an object, changing its direction. The behavior of light during reflection can be explained by the law of reflection.

**The Law of Reflection**

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This means that if a ray of light strikes a surface at a certain angle, the reflected ray will also be at the same angle but on the opposite side of the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence).

**Specular Reflection**

Specular reflection refers to the reflection of light from a smooth and shiny surface like glass, water, or polished metal. In specular reflection, the incident light rays are reflected in a single direction, creating a clear and well-defined reflection.

**Explanation of Specular Reflection**

1. Light Rays and Incident Angle: When a beam of light strikes a smooth and shiny surface, it is made up of numerous light rays. Each light ray can be represented by a straight line. The angle between the incident ray and the normal is called the angle of incidence.

2. Reflection and Angle of Reflection: According to the law of reflection, the reflected rays will bounce off the surface at the same angle as the incident rays but on the opposite side of the normal. This angle is called the angle of reflection.

3. Smooth and Shiny Surfaces: Specular reflection occurs on smooth and shiny surfaces because they have a uniform surface. When light strikes such a surface, it encounters minimal resistance and can bounce off without scattering. This allows for a clear and well-defined reflection.

4. Mirrors and Polished Metal: Mirrors and polished metal surfaces are designed to have a high degree of smoothness and reflectivity. When light hits these surfaces, it reflects almost entirely in a single direction, producing a clear image.

5. Optical Phenomena: Specular reflection is responsible for various optical phenomena, such as the formation of clear images in mirrors, the reflection of light on the surface of still water, and the sparkle of polished gemstones.

In conclusion, specular reflection occurs when light strikes a smooth and shiny surface, such as glass, water, or polished metal. The light reflects at the same angle as it hit the surface, following the law of reflection. This type of reflection creates clear and well-defined reflections, allowing for the formation of images and various optical phenomena.

Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves.