PHYS120

Reflection

Department of Physics

School of Chemistry & Physics

University of kwaZulu-Natal

04/09/2018 – Lecture 1

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Introduction

Light travels in straight lines under normal circumstances.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Introduction

Light travels in straight lines under normal circumstances.

A small light source compared to a large object casts a
sharp shadow.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Introduction

Light travels in straight lines under normal circumstances.

A small light source compared to a large object casts a
sharp shadow.
A large light source compared to a small object casts a
blurred shadow.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Introduction

Light travels in straight lines under normal circumstances.

A small light source compared to a large object casts a
sharp shadow.
A large light source compared to a small object casts a
blurred shadow.
Region of complete darkness is called the umbra.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Introduction

Light travels in straight lines under normal circumstances.

A small light source compared to a large object casts a
sharp shadow.
A large light source compared to a small object casts a
blurred shadow.
Region of complete darkness is called the umbra.
Blurred region is called the penumbra.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Solar eclipse

SUN

MOON

EARTH

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Solar eclipse

SUN

MOON

EARTH

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Solar eclipse

SUN

MOON

EARTH

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Solar eclipse

SUN
Umbra
MOON

EARTH

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Solar eclipse

Penumbra
SUN
Umbra
MOON

EARTH

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Reflection

Specular reflection: Incident light rays parallel, reflected

light rays parallel.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Reflection

Specular reflection: Incident light rays parallel, reflected

light rays parallel.

Diffuse reflection: Incident light rays parallel, reflected light

rays not parallel.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Laws of reflection

incident n̂ reflected

θi θr

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Laws of reflection

incident n̂ reflected

θi θr

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Laws of reflection

incident n̂ reflected

θi θr

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal to the mirror at
the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Rotation of mirror

n̂

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Rotation of mirror

n̂ n̂

θ−α

The mirror is rotated by an angle α

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Rotation of mirror

n̂ n̂

2α
θ−α

The mirror is rotated by an angle α

The reflected beam rotates by an angle 2α

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Image of object behind mirror

O b

M M′
A B

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Image of object behind mirror

O b

P
M M′
A B

I b

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Image of object behind mirror

O b

P
M M′
A B

I b

OP = IP and ∠OPA = ∠IPA = 90°

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Image of object behind mirror

O b

P
M M′
A B

I b

OP = IP and ∠OPA = ∠IPA = 90°

A virtual image is located the same distance behind the mirror

as the object is in front, on the normal produced from the object.

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics