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18.2 Reflection and Mirrors
18.2 Reflection and Mirrors
18.2 Reflection and Mirrors
Regular Reflection
When parallel rays of light hit a
smooth surface, regular reflection
occurs
All the light rays reflect at the same
angle
Produces a sharp reflection
Diffuse Reflection
When parallel rays of light hit a
bumpy or uneven surface, diffuse
reflections occur
Light rays hit the surface at different
angles because of the uneven surface
Each light ray reflects at a different
angle
DO NOT see a clear reflection
Plane Mirrors
Plane mirrors are a flat sheet of
glass, that has a silver-colored
coating on one side
the coating reflects the light
The coating is smooth = regular
reflection occurs and a clear image
forms
Image is a copy of an object formed by
reflected or refracted rays of light
Concave Mirrors
A mirror with a surface that curves inward
like the inside of a bowl is a concave
mirror
Reflects parallel rays of light so that they meet
at a point
Concave Mirrors
The Optical Axis is an imaginary line
that divides a mirror in half
The Focal Point is the point at which
rays parallel to the optical axis meet
Depends on shape of mirror
More curved the mirror the closer the focal
point is to the mirror
X= Focal Point
---- = Optical Axis
Virtual images
form when the
object is between
the mirror and
focal point
are always
larger than the
object for
concave
mirrors
Convex Mirrors
Convex Mirrors are mirrors with surfaces
that curve outwards
rays spread out but appear to come to from a
focal point behind the mirror
Because rays never meet, images formed by
convex mirrors are always virtual and smaller
than the object
Used in car mirrors