With the help of a neat diagram, explain the reflection of light on a plane reflecting surface.

Question: With the help of a neat diagram, explain the reflection of light on a plane reflecting surface.

Reflection of light on a plane reflecting surface is the phenomenon of bouncing back of light rays when they hit a smooth and shiny surface, such as a mirror. The diagram below shows how the reflection of light occurs on a plane mirror.


In the diagram, MN is the plane mirror, RA and QC are the incident rays, AP and CS are the normals to the mirror, CE is the reflected ray, i is the angle of incidence, and r is the angle of reflection. The following points explain the process of reflection:

- When the incident ray RA hits the mirror at point A, it reflects back along AE. Similarly, when the incident ray QC hits the mirror at point C, it reflects back along CE.

- The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane. This is the first law of reflection.

- The angle of incidence i is equal to the angle of reflection r for both the rays. This is the second law of reflection.

- The image formed by the plane mirror is virtual, erect, and laterally inverted. The image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.

Rjwala

Rjwala is your freely Ai Social Learning Platform. here our team solve your academic problems daily.