Question

Which law does reflection from a spherical mirror follow?

Answer 1

Step 1: Reflection

1. Reflection of light is a phenomenon in which light that falls on a smooth surface bounces back to the surroundings.
2. The point at which a light ray falls on the surface is called a point of incidence.
3. If a perpendicular is drawn at this point that is called normal.
4. The angle between the incident ray and the normal is called as the angle of incidence. Rays that bounce back from the surface are called reflected rays.
5. The angle between a reflected ray and the normal is called as an angle of reflection.

Step 2: Spherical Mirrors

1. There are two types of spherical mirrors. A mirror with an inward reflecting surface is called a concave mirror.
2. A mirror with an outward reflecting surface is called a convex mirror. Both mirrors follow laws of reflection.
3. Laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces including smooth surfaces, curved surfaces, and irregular surfaces.

Step 3: Explanation

Spherical mirrors follow both laws of reflection.

1. The first law states that when light rays fall on a smooth surface, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.
2. The second law states that the incident ray, reflected ray, and normal to the surface all lie in the same plane.