Reflection of Light
Learning the laws governing how light reflects off a surface.
Core concept
A plane (flat) mirror produces a clear, undistorted image that appears to be the same size as the object and the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it — this image is virtual (cannot be projected onto a screen) and laterally inverted (left and right appear swapped). Rough, uneven surfaces cause diffused reflection, scattering light in many directions, which is why we can see non-shiny objects from many different angles, unlike a mirror's sharp reflection.
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Quick notes
• Law of reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflection, measured from the normal.
• A plane mirror forms a virtual, same-size, laterally inverted image.
• Diffused reflection occurs on rough surfaces, scattering light in many directions.
• Diffused reflection lets us see non-shiny objects from many angles.