11.6 Laws of Reflection

What is the Law of
Reflection?
 

The Law of Reflection states that:

1. The angle of incidence is equal with the angle of reflection.
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie in the same plane.

Angle of Incidence- The angle created between the incident ray and the normal.
Angle of Reflection- The angle created between the reflected ray and the normal. 
Normal- An imaginary line created perpendicular to the mirror at the end of the incident ray and the beginning of the reflected ray.

 

There are two types of reflection:

1. Specular Reflection- The reflection of light off a smooth surface.

Specular reflection reflects the light to a set angle equal to the angle of incidence

2. Diffuse Reflection- The reflection of light off a rough surface.

Diffuse reflection reflects the light to random places depending on how the surface is set up and where the light hits

The difference between a diffuse reflection(left) and a specular reflection(right).

Now that you know the difference, which one shows a specular reflection and which one shows a diffuse reflection?