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When light is reflected from a mirror a change occurs in its
  • a)
    phase,
  • b)
    frequency,
  • c)
    wavelength,
  • d)
    speed
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
When light is reflected from a mirror a change occurs in itsa)phase,b)...
When a light wave is reflected from an object , it changes not only it's amplitude but also its phase according to the properties of the object at a particular point. Therefore, option A is the right answer.
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Community Answer
When light is reflected from a mirror a change occurs in itsa)phase,b)...
When light is reflected from a mirror, the change that occurs is in its phase.

Explanation:

1. Reflection of Light:
When light strikes a mirror, it undergoes reflection, which is the process of bouncing back of light rays from a surface. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This means that the direction of the reflected light is determined by the angle at which the incident light strikes the mirror.

2. Phase of Light:
The phase of light refers to the position of a point on a wave at a particular time. It is commonly measured in terms of the angle of the wave at a given point in its cycle, usually in degrees or radians. The phase of a wave is important because it determines whether two waves will interfere constructively or destructively when they overlap.

3. Phase Change during Reflection:
When light is reflected from a mirror, there is a phase change of 180 degrees or pi radians. This means that the reflected wave is shifted by half a cycle compared to the incident wave. In other words, the point on the reflected wave that corresponds to a particular point on the incident wave is located exactly halfway between the crest and trough of the incident wave.

4. Explanation of Phase Change:
The phase change during reflection can be understood by considering the behavior of the electric field component of the light wave. When light strikes a mirror, the electric field of the incident wave causes the electrons in the mirror's surface to oscillate. These oscillating electrons then produce a new wave, which is the reflected wave. However, because the electric field of the incident wave is perpendicular to the mirror's surface, the oscillating electrons are shifted by half a cycle compared to the incident wave. As a result, the reflected wave has a phase change of 180 degrees.

In conclusion, when light is reflected from a mirror, the change that occurs is in its phase. The reflected wave undergoes a phase change of 180 degrees or pi radians, which is a shift of half a cycle compared to the incident wave.
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