1|Page
, REFLECTION OF LIGHT
Light - Light is a form of energy due to which we are able to
see the objects.
NATURE OF LIGHT
• According to wave theory :Light rays basically consist of electromagnetic waves which do not require
any material medium (like solid, liquid or gas) for their propagation . phenomenon like diffraction,
polarisation and interference
• According to particle theory : Light is composed of particles which travel in a straight line
at very high speed. phenomena of reflection and refraction of light, and casting
of shadows of objects by light The elementary particle that defines light is the ‘ photon’.
• light exhibits the properties of both waves and particles
• Speed of light waves depends on the medium through which they pass as speed of light in air is
slightly less than the speed of light in vacuum same way speed of light in water and glass is much
less than that in air.
• Light travels in straight lines.
• Speed of light is maximum in vaccum . its value is 3× 108 m/s
REFLECTION OF LIGHT
When light falls on the surface of an object it can either be
• Absorbed:- If an object absorbs all the light falling on it , then it will appear perfectly
black for example a blackboard.
• Transmitted: - An object is said to transmit light if it allows light to pass through itself and
such objects are transparent.
• Reflected:- If an object sends back light rays falling on its surface then it is said to have
reflected the light.
2|Page
, The process of sending back the light rays which fall on the surface of an object, is called
reflection of light.
A ray of light is the straight line along which the light travelled and a bundle of light rays is
called a beam of light.
• Silver metal is one of the best reflectors of light.
Laws of Reflection of Light
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the mirror at the point of
incidence all lie in the same plane.
These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces including spherical
surfaces
Regular Reflection and Diffuse Reflection of Light
• In regular reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one
direction
• in diffuse reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different directions.
3|Page
, REFLECTION OF LIGHT
Light - Light is a form of energy due to which we are able to
see the objects.
NATURE OF LIGHT
• According to wave theory :Light rays basically consist of electromagnetic waves which do not require
any material medium (like solid, liquid or gas) for their propagation . phenomenon like diffraction,
polarisation and interference
• According to particle theory : Light is composed of particles which travel in a straight line
at very high speed. phenomena of reflection and refraction of light, and casting
of shadows of objects by light The elementary particle that defines light is the ‘ photon’.
• light exhibits the properties of both waves and particles
• Speed of light waves depends on the medium through which they pass as speed of light in air is
slightly less than the speed of light in vacuum same way speed of light in water and glass is much
less than that in air.
• Light travels in straight lines.
• Speed of light is maximum in vaccum . its value is 3× 108 m/s
REFLECTION OF LIGHT
When light falls on the surface of an object it can either be
• Absorbed:- If an object absorbs all the light falling on it , then it will appear perfectly
black for example a blackboard.
• Transmitted: - An object is said to transmit light if it allows light to pass through itself and
such objects are transparent.
• Reflected:- If an object sends back light rays falling on its surface then it is said to have
reflected the light.
2|Page
, The process of sending back the light rays which fall on the surface of an object, is called
reflection of light.
A ray of light is the straight line along which the light travelled and a bundle of light rays is
called a beam of light.
• Silver metal is one of the best reflectors of light.
Laws of Reflection of Light
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the mirror at the point of
incidence all lie in the same plane.
These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces including spherical
surfaces
Regular Reflection and Diffuse Reflection of Light
• In regular reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one
direction
• in diffuse reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different directions.
3|Page
