![]()
Light Reflection and Refraction
- Light is a type of energy that can be converted into other types of energy.
- Light does not require a physical medium to propagate.
- Light’s velocity in air or vacuum is 3×10 m / s .
Rectilinear Propagation of Light
- Light travels in a straight line in a homogeneous transparent medium, which is known as rectilinear propagation of light.
- Reflection of Light: The phenomenon of bouncing back of light into the same medium by the smooth surface is called reflection.
or
- Reflection of light describes the phenomenon by which a ray of light changes its propagation direction when it encounters a boundary between different media through which it cannot pass.
- Incident light: Light which falls on the surface is called incident light
- Reflected light: Light which goes back after reflection is called reflected light.
- The angle of incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
- An angle of reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
Regular Reflection
- The perfect, mirror-like reflection of light is known as specular or regular reflection. Regular reflections include reflections in mirrors, water surfaces, and highly polished floors.
Irregular Reflection:
- Irregular reflection, also known as diffused reflection, occurs when a ray of light strikes a rough or unpolished wall or wood. In this case, the incident light is reflected in different directions by different parts of the surface.
- There is no definite image formed in such cases, but the surface becomes visible. It is commonly referred to as light scattering. As a result of the diffused reflection, nonluminous objects become visible.
