What is Reflection of Light: Types, Laws and Applications
What is Reflection of Light: Types, Laws and Applications
What is Reflection of Light
Light reflection is a physical response that takes place when a column of light links up with a surface and bounces back in a different direction. The angle of the reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, the angle at which the light came upon the surface. The second of the laws of reflection is known as the law of specular reflection.
Reflection of light can be applied in creation of different kinds of the optical effect as mirrors, lenses and telescopes. Mirrors turn light in the same direction and lenses are such that they can focus light on one point. Telescopes employ lenses that allow a distant object to be enlarged.
In addition, the light reflecting off different objects makes them appear. For example, the color of the car is executed by how the light is being reflected from its surface. The car with the glossy finish is more reflective and therefore returns the light in a more speculate way than the matte finish that produces a stunning color effect.
The impressive ability of light to reflect is a property of light that has a huge number of applications in science and technology.
Types of Reflection of Light
There are two main types of reflection: specular reflection and diffuse reflection.
Specular Reflection: It occurs when a beam of light strikes a smooth surface and is reflected in a single direction. The angle at which the light is reflected is equal to the angle at which it struck the surface. This type of reflection is responsible for the appearance of mirrors.
Diffuse Reflection: It occurs when a beam of light strikes a rough surface and is scattered in many different directions. This type of reflection is responsible for the appearance of most objects.
Law of the Reflection of Light
Light is the type of electromagnetic radiations that traverses uniformly along a straight line in a medium. The incident light may be reflected, refracted, or absorbed upon encountering a surface. The laws of reflection describe how light interacts when it is being reflected from a surface.
- The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the surface normal at the point of incidence all belong to the same normal plane.
- There is equality between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection.
"The incident ray" is referred to as the ray of light that hits the surface. "Reflected ray" is the one that returns to the source after bouncing on the surface of the object. The "normal" to the surface means the line being perpendicular to it at the point of impact. "Angele of incidence" is the angle between the incoming ray and the normal. The "Angle of reflection" is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
The laws of reflection can be applied in order to clarify a wide range of observations, including, for instance, the throwback of light from a mirror, the refraction of light via a lens, and finally the appearance of rainbows.
Applications or Uses of Reflection of Light
The phenomenon of light reflection covers a great variety of applications in different sciences and technology. undefined
Mirrors: They reflect the light back towards the sky. Mirrors are multi-functional tools which are employed in different places like the make-up area, shaving or driving.
Lenses: They are among means of concentrating and focussing light on an exact point. Viewfinders can be seen in many types of devices, such as eyeglasses, cameras and telescopes.
Telescopes: The telescopes boost the size of objects advanced in a distance. The Telescope is a source to explore stars, planets and other objects in the space.
Optical Fibers: They are used for the transport of the light longer distances. Optical fibers find place in many branches of modern life, for instance telecommunications, medicine and manufacturing.
The reflection of light is one of the key properties of light that serves in myriads of scientific and technological developments.