PHYSICS LIGHT-REFLECTION AND REFRACTION

Reflection of Light
Reflection of Light

 When light falls on a body, it may be absorbed, may be transmitted or may return to the same
medium.
 In the reflection of light, light waves are neither transmitted nor absorbed, but they are deflected from
the surface of the medium back into the same medium.
 This is governed by the laws of reflection.

First law of reflection

Second law of reflection

 First law of reflection: The incident ray, the normal to the surface at the point of incidence and the
reflected ray, all lie in the same plane.
 Second law of reflection: The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Characteristics of the Image formed by a Plane Mirror

 The image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual and erect.
 The size of the image is equal to the size of the object, and the image is laterally inverted.
 The image formed by the plane mirror is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.

 Similar to plane mirrors, curved mirrors also form images. Mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are
spherical are known as spherical mirrors.

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