Learning Goals:
The Law of Reflection governs how light bounces off a mirrored surface.
Plane, concave & convex mirrors will form images with specific characteristics (SALT).
Success Criteria: I can...
...state and apply the Law of Reflection
...draw ray diagrams for plane, concave & convex mirrors, as well as determine and state the characteristics of the images formed by each mirror.
ððððððððððððððð
Now, we will begin to discuss reflection in greater detail. To begin, we will need a reflecting surface. Typically, that will be a mirror.
- incident ray - the ray of light that strikes the mirror's surface.
- reflected ray - the ray of light that bounces off the mirror's surface.
- normal - an imaginary line, perpendicular mirror's surface, at the point where the light strikes
- angle of incidence - the angle between the normal line and the incident ray (i or Ïīi).
- angle of reflection - the angle between the normal line and the reflected ray (r or Ïīr).
The Law of Reflection
The Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence (Ïīi) equals the angle of reflection (Ïīr). The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal to the surface all lie in the same plane.
Question of the Day #8:
Using the diagram provided, answer the following:
- Which ray is the incident ray?
- Which ray is the reflected ray?
- What is the angle for A?
- What is the angle for B?
- What is the angle for C?
