Reflection of Light

Reflection of light is the phenomenon where light bounces off a surface, changing direction. When light rays strike a smooth surface, they reflect in a predictable manner according to the laws of reflection.

Laws of Reflection:
1. First Law: The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface all lie in the same plane.
2. Second Law: The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Explanation:
- Incident Ray: The ray of light that strikes a surface is called the incident ray.
- Reflected Ray: The ray of light that bounces off the surface after striking is called the reflected ray.
- Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point where the incident ray strikes is called the normal.
When light strikes a surface, it follows the laws of reflection. The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface all lie in the same plane. The angle of incidence, which is the angle between the incident ray and the normal, is equal to the angle of reflection, which is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
Understanding the laws of reflection helps in predicting the behavior of light when it strikes a surface. This knowledge is essential in various fields such as optics, photography, and mirror design.