Light Reflection on Water:

When the surface of water is calm, a clear reflection can be seen, as shown in Figure 1.
If the water surface is disturbed by wind or waves, the reflection becomes blurry and
unclear.
Ancient Egyptians and Reflection:

Around 4000 years ago, Egyptians understood that clear reflection requires a smooth
surface.
They used polished metal mirrors to view their images.
The Development of Mirrors Over Time:
In the 16th century, artisans in Venice created mirrors by coating glass with a thin layer of metal.
Sharp and clear reflected images became possible in 1857 when the French scientist Jean
Foucault developed a method to coat glass with silver.
Modern Mirrors:

Today, mirrors are used in advanced technologies like lasers and telescopes.
Modern mirrors are made by evaporating aluminum or silver onto highly polished glass surfaces.
The Physics of Reflection:

The basic principles of physics governing reflection remain the same for a calm pond, a 16th-
century mirror, or a tiny mirror inside a laser.
Main Message:
Clear reflections require a smooth surface. The evolution of mirrors over time highlights
advancements in human understanding and technology, while the physics of reflection has
remained unchanged.
 Explanation of the Law of Reflection and Types of Reflections
The Law of Reflection:

When a light ray strikes a reflective surface, the angle of incidence (measured between the
incoming ray and the normal) is equal to the angle of reflection (measured between the
reflected ray and the normal).
The incident ray, reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane (two-dimensional),
even though light travels in three dimensions.
Wave Model of Light:
 The law of reflection can be explained using the wave model of light:
Wavefront: A wavefront is a line perpendicular to the light rays. As the wavefront reaches the
surface, each point reflects at the same speed and covers the same distance, resulting in the
reflected wavefront leaving at the same angle as the incident one.
Key Observation: The wavelength of light does not affect the reflection process. Red, green,
and blue light reflect in the same direction.
Smooth vs. Rough Surfaces:
Smooth Surfaces (e.g., mirrors):

Reflect parallel light rays in a parallel manner.

This is known as specular reflection.
Rough Surfaces (e.g., paper):
 While paper may appear smooth, it is rough at the microscopic level compared to the
wavelength of light.
When parallel light rays strike a rough surface:
The reflected rays scatter in multiple directions.
This phenomenon is called diffuse reflection.
Summary:
Law of Reflection: Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection.
Smooth surfaces produce regular (specular) reflections, while rough surfaces cause diffuse
reflections.
The reflection process is independent of the light’s wavelength or color.
 Figure 2: Law of Reflection
Key Points:

The figure demonstrates the Law of Reflection:

The angle of incidence ( 𝜃
is equal to the angle of reflection (𝜃
Both angles are measured with respect to the normal (a perpendicular line to the reflective
surface).

.
Both angles are measured with respect to the normal (a perpendicular line to the reflective
surface).
Components in the Figure:

Incident Light: The ray of light that strikes the surface.

Normal: A perpendicular line drawn at the point where the incident ray meets the surface.
Reflected Light: The ray of light that bounces off the reflective surface.
Plane of Travel:

The incident and reflected rays lie in the same plane, making the reflection predictable.
Color Convention:

The light ray is represented in red for clarity in diagrams.

Figure 3: Reflection of a Wavefront
 Key Points:

The figure demonstrates how wavefronts reflect off a surface according to the Law of
Reflection:
The angle of incidence = equals the angle of reflection
​
for each part of the wavefront. = This applies to all points
 Multiple Cases:

The figure shows three cases where wavefronts hit a reflective surface at different angles.
In all cases, the wavefront reflects in such a way that the angles of incidence and reflection
are consistent for all parts of the wave.
Applications:

This principle is key in understanding how light waves behave on reflective surfaces like
mirrors or water, ensuring that the reflected wavefront retains its coherence and shape.
Conclusion:
Both figures highlight the Law of Reflection, showing that the behavior of light rays and
wavefronts is predictable and consistent when interacting with reflective surfaces. This
principle underlies the functioning of optical devices like mirrors and telescopes.
The following image (following slide)his image demonstrates the concepts of specular
reflection (smooth surfaces) and diffuse reflection (rough surfaces), along with examples of
light behavior on plane mirrors and other objects. Here's a summary:

• 1. Smooth vs. Rough Surfaces

• Smooth Surface (Specular Reflection):
• Light rays reflect in a single, predictable direction.
• Example: A mirror or polished surface reflects light uniformly, allowing you to see a clear
image.
• Rough Surface (Diffuse Reflection):
• Light rays scatter in many directions due to the uneven surface.
• Example: Paper scatters light, making it impossible to see a clear reflection like in a mirror.
• 2. Objects and Plane-Mirror Images
• A plane mirror is a smooth, flat surface that reflects light through specular reflection. It
allows you to see a clear image because the reflected rays remain parallel.
• In diffuse reflection, like from the woman’s skin or clothing, light scatters before reaching the
The following images discusses objects and images in plane mirrors, explaining how
images are formed in mirrors and the difference between real and virtual images.

Plane Mirrors:

A plane mirror is a flat, smooth surface that reflects light in a regular manner
(specular reflection).
Plane mirrors are used to view the reflected images of objects.
Objects and Light Sources:

Objects can either be luminous (emit their own light, like a lightbulb) or illuminated
(reflect light, like a person or a bird).
Light from an illuminated source spreads in all directions. When it reflects off a
mirror, it forms a visible image.
Virtual Images:
In Figure 6, the reflected rays appear to originate from a point behind the mirror.
The brain processes the light rays as if they travel in straight lines, making the
image appear behind the mirror.
This is called a virtual image because it is not real and cannot be projected onto
a screen.
The Images:
Figure 5:
Shows light reflecting from a woman to the mirror.
Specular Reflection: Light from the mirror to the eye is regular (specular
reflection), resulting in a clear image.
In Figure 6, the reflected rays appear to originate from a point behind the mirror.
Figure 6:
Demonstrates how light rays reflect from an object (like a bird) and reach the
girl’s eyes.
Formation of the Virtual Image:
The light appears to come from a point behind the mirror, creating a virtual
image of the bird.
Virtual images are always formed on the opposite side of the mirror and cannot
be projected onto a screen because they result from diverging rays.
Key Points:
Plane mirrors reflect light in a regular pattern and form virtual images.
A virtual image appears to be behind the mirror.
Virtual images cannot be projected onto a screen because they are created by
diverging rays.
Conclusion: Plane mirrors create virtual images of objects based on reflected
light rays and how the brain perceives their straight-line paths.