Question

What is meant by the reflection of light ? Define the following terms used in the study of reflection of light by drawing a labelled diagram
(a) Incident ray
(b) Point of Incidence
(c) Normal
(d) Reflected ray
(e) Angle of incidence
(f) Angle of reflection

Answer 1

The process of sending back the light rays which fall on the surface of an object is called reflection of light.
(a) Incident ray: The ray of light that falls on the mirror surface is called the incident ray.
(b) Point of Incidence: The point at which the incident ray falls on the mirror is called the point of incidence.
(c) Normal: The normal is a line at right angle to the mirror surface at the point of incidence.
(d) Reflected ray: The ray of light which is sent back by the mirror is called the reflected ray.
(e) Angle of incidence: The angle of incidence is the angle made by the incident ray with the normal at the point of incidence.
(f) Angle of reflection: The angle of reflection is the angle made by the reflected ray with the normal at the point of incidence.