Reflection Flashcards
What is the law of reflection?
An incoming ray of light, known as an incident ray, is reflected off a mirror at the SAME ANGLE. This is called the law of reflection.
What does the law of reflection state?
The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence of a light ray is equal to the angle of reflection. Theta i = theta r
What is total internal reflection?
When light enters a substance of lower refractive index, such as from glass into air, it it reflected away from the normal. As the angle of incidence is called the critical angle, light is reflected so far away from the normal that it runs along the boundary of the two substances. For any angles of incidence greater than this, there is no refracted ray. Light is reflected from the boundary as though it was a mirror. This is called total internal reflection.
