Reflection

2.4 Plane mirrors

Summary of the laws of reflection

Definitions

Incident Ray:
The ray which comes from the source and travels toward the mirror.

 

Reflected Ray:
The ray which strikes the mirror and travels towards the observer.

 

Angle of Deviation:
The angle formed by the incident ray and the reflected ray.

 

Normal:

• A perpendicular to a mirror
• originates at the point of incidence of the light
• which divides the angle of deviation into two equal parts.
  

Angle of incidence :
The angle formed by the incident ray and the normal.
Angle of reflection:
The angle formed by the reflected ray and the normal.

Laws of reflection

First Law of Reflection:
The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal are all lie on the same plane.

 

Second Law of Reflection:
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Simulation: Use your mouse to change the angle of the reflected ray