3.3.15

Reflection

Test yourself

Reflection

Light can bounce off surfaces. We call this reflection.

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Reflection

  • We see our image in a mirror because of reflection.
  • Reflection from a smooth surface, like a mirror or polished surface, is called specular reflection.
  • If light is reflected from a rough surface, this is called diffuse scattering.
    • We do not see an image in diffuse scattering because light is scattered in lots of different directions.
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A mirror image

  • A flat mirror is called a plane mirror.
  • We can describe a mirror image as:
    • Virtual - we call an image in a mirror ‘virtual’ as the image isn’t really there. If you move away so should your image.
    • Upright – the image is the same way up as the object it is reflecting.
    • Equal distance – the object's distance to the mirror will be the same as the image's distance from the mirror.
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Laterally inverted image

  • We can also describe a mirror image as laterally inverted – if you hold up your left hand to wave at a mirror, your reflection waves its right hand.
  • This is the reason why ‘ambulance’ and ‘fire’ are written backwards on emergency vehicles, so when you look in your car mirror, the writing will appear the right way around.
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Law of reflection

  • The law of reflection states:
    • The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
    • We are able to see objects as light reflects off objects into our eyes.
    • When reflection happens, it always follows the law of reflection.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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