Which angle is the angle of reflection

Sample Problem 2: Three initially parallel rays of light are incident at slightly different points on a bumpy surface, as indicated in the figure to the right.

The angles of incidence are 15 o for ray A blue in figure , 31 o for ray B green , and 47 o for ray C red. According to the law of reflection , the angle of reflection must equal the angle of incidence for each ray.

Thus ray A will have an angle of reflection of 15 o , B will have an angle of reflection of 31 o , and the third will have an angle of reflection of 47 o. No ; the three rays will diverge after reflection.

The waves can:. Rough surfaces scatter sound and light in all directions. However, each tiny bit of the surface still follows the rule that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The law of reflection Sound waves and light waves reflect from surfaces. Wave striking a water barrier and a ray of light striking a plane mirror An incident ray of light hits a plane mirror at an angle and is reflected back off it.

However, the image of the sun is not seen in the windows of distant building during midday. Use the diagram below to explain, drawing appropriate light rays on the diagram. A ray of light drawn from the sun's position at 7 pm to the distant window reflects off the window and travel to the observer's eye.

On the other hand, a ray of light drawn from the 1 pm sun position to the window will reflect and travel to the ground, never making it to the distant observer's eye. A ray of light is approaching a set of three mirrors as shown in the diagram.

The light ray is approaching the first mirror at an angle of degrees with the mirror surface. Trace the path of the light ray as it bounces off the mirror. Continue tracing the ray until it finally exits from the mirror system. How many times will the ray reflect before it finally exits?

See Answer The light reflects twice before it finally exits the system. Draw a normal at the point of incidence to the first mirror; measure the angle of incidence 45 degrees ; then draw a reflected ray at 45 degrees from the normal.

Repeat the process for the second mirror. Physics Tutorial. My Cart Subscription Selection. Student Extras. Diffuse Reflection. See Answer Angle B is the angle of incidence angle between the incident ray and the normal. See Answer A ray of light drawn from the sun's position at 7 pm to the distant window reflects off the window and travel to the observer's eye.