Question

Define the following terms used in the study of reflection of light by drawing a labelled ray-diagram: 

(a) Incident ray
(b) Point of incidence
(c) Normal
(d) Reflected ray
(e) Angle of incidence
(f) Angle of reflection

Answer 1

(a) Incident ray: The ray of light that falls on a mirror is called the incident ray. In the figure, AO is the incident ray of light. The incident ray gives the direction of the light falling on the mirror.

(b) Point of incidence: The point at which the incident ray falls on a mirror is called the point of incidence. In the figure, the point O on the surface of the mirror is the point of incidence.

(c) Normal: The normal is a line at right angles to the mirror surface at the point of incidence. In the figure, the line ON is the normal to the mirror surface at point O.

(d) Reflected ray: The ray of light that is sent back by the mirror is called the reflected ray. In the figure, OB is the reflected ray of light. The reflected ray of light shows the direction in which the light travels after being reflected from the mirror.

(e) Angle of incidence: The angle of incidence is the angle made by the incident ray with the normal at the point of incidence. In the figure, the angle AON is the angle of incidence. The angle of incidence is denoted by the letter i.

(f) Angle of reflection: The angle of reflection is the angle made by the reflected ray with the normal at the point of incidence. In the figure, the angle NOB is the angle of reflection. The angle of reflection is denoted by the letter r .