State the laws of reflection.

Reflection of light is the phenomenon in which light bounces back from the surface of an object when it strikes that surface. This is known as the reflection of light. The behavior of light during reflection is governed by specific rules known as the laws of reflection.

Key Terms Related to Reflection

• Incident Ray: The light ray that strikes the surface of an object is called the incident ray.
• Reflected Ray: The light ray that bounces back from the surface after striking it is called the reflected ray.
• Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence is called the normal.
• Angle of Incidence (∠i): The angle formed between the incident ray and the normal at the point of incidence.
• Angle of Reflection (∠r): The angle formed between the reflected ray and the normal at the point of reflection.

State the Laws of Reflection

The reflection of light follows two fundamental principles, known as the laws of reflection:

1. First Law of Reflection: The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.
2. Second Law of Reflection: The angle of incidence (∠i) is always equal to the angle of reflection (∠r).

Understanding the Laws of Reflection

To state the laws of reflection accurately, it is important to note that these principles apply to all types of reflective surfaces, whether smooth (like a mirror) or irregular. The laws remain consistent regardless of the medium through which light travels before striking the surface.

By understanding and being able to state the laws of reflection, we can explain various phenomena such as the formation of images in mirrors, the working of periscopes, and more. These laws are fundamental to the study of optics.