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Define a light ray.
A straight-line path that light travels in a specific direction, perpendicular to the wavefront.
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle between the incoming light ray and the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface).
What is the angle of reflection?
The angle between the outgoing (reflected) light ray and the normal.
Define specular reflection.
Reflection from a smooth surface where incident light reflects uniformly in a single direction.
Define diffuse reflection.
Reflection from a rough surface where incident light rays scatter in many different directions.
Compare specular and diffuse reflection.
Specular: Smooth surface, uniform reflection, clear image. Diffuse: Rough surface, scattered reflection, blurry image.
Differentiate between angle of incidence and angle of reflection.
Angle of incidence: Angle between incoming ray and normal. Angle of reflection: Angle between reflected ray and normal. They are equal.
What happens when light hits a smooth, polished surface?
Specular reflection occurs, creating clear, undistorted images with the potential for strong glare.
What happens when light hits a rough, irregular surface?
Diffuse reflection occurs, scattering light in many directions and creating a soft, even illumination without harsh glare.
What is the effect of increasing the angle of incidence?
The angle of reflection increases by the same amount, according to the law of reflection.
Cause: Light ray strikes a mirror at 30 degrees to the normal. Effect?
The light ray is reflected at 30 degrees to the normal.
What happens when the angle of incidence is not equal to the angle of reflection?
The law of reflection is violated, which does not occur under normal circumstances of light reflection.