Properties of Reflective Waves Flat Mirrors

Light travels in a straight line Some light is absorbed Some light is redirected – “Reflected”

Diffuse reflection is reflection from a rough surface, such as notebook paper or the wall. Specular reflection is reflection from a smooth surface, such as a mirror or shiny metal. We will study specular reflection.

Texture affects the pathway of light Rough surfaces ~ Diffuse reflection

Shiny surfaces reflect in one direction Smooth surfaces ~ Specular reflection

At what angle will the incoming ray reflect from the mirror? Angle of incidence (  ) = Angle of reflection (  ’ ) By convention, angles are measured with a normal line. Angles with the surface are also equal.

Angle of incidence- angle between the ray that strikes a surface and the normal to that surface

Angle of reflection- angle between the normal to a surface and the direction in which a reflected ray moves

Looking in a flat mirror The object’s image appears to be behind the mirror at an equal distance

p is the object’s distance from the mirror…(d o ) q is the image’s distance from the mirror…. (d i )

p is in front of the mirror q is behind the mirror p and q are equal

An image that appears to be behind the mirror is Virtual image

A diagram that indicates: the object and images location using rays the size of the object and image

Let’s draw a diagram