REFLECTION

•Reflection is the change in direction of a

wavefront at an interface so that the
wavefront returns into the medium from
which it originated
 The Law of Reflection
•The law of reflection states that for
specular reflection the angle at which the
wave is incident on the surface equals to
the angle at which it is reflected .
 Applications of Reflection of Light
• Periscope
- A mirror periscope is used to view
objects in an elevated position from
behind an obstruction.
- In its simplest form, it consists of a
tube with mirrors at each end set
parallel to each other at 45° so that the
angle of incidence is 45°.
- More complex periscopes, using prism
instead of mirrors, and providing
magnification, operate on submarines.
Mirror Periscope
Prism Periscope
• Kaleidoscope
- A kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors
containing loose, coloured objects.
- The viewer looks in one end and light
enters the other end, reflecting off the
mirrors.
- Kaleidoscopes operate on the principle
of multiple reflection, where several
mirrors are attached together. Typically
there are two rectangular lengthwise
mirrors.
- Setting of the mirrors at 45° creates
eight duplicate images of the objects, 6
at 60° and 4 at 90°.
- As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of
the coloured objects presents the
viewer with varying colour and patterns.
- Any arbitrary pattern of objects shows
up as a beautiful symmetric pattern
because of the reflections in the mirrors.
Kaleidoscope image
Kaleidoscope image
Kaleidoscope image
 Applications of Reflection of Light
(Utilising concave & convex mirror)
 Concave Mirror
• The images formed by a concave mirror
depends on the position of the object.
• For a real object very far away from the
mirror, the real image is formed at the
focus.
• For a real object close to the mirror but
outside of the center of curvature, the real
image is formed between C and f. The
image is inverted and smaller than the
object.
• For a real object at C, the real image is
formed at C. The image is inverted and the
same size as the object.
• For a real object between C and f, a real
image is formed outside of C. The image
is inverted and larger than the object.
• For a real object at f, no image is formed.
The reflected rays are parallel and never
converge.
• For a real object between f and the mirror,
a virtual image is formed behind the
mirror. The position of the image is found
by tracing the reflected rays back behind
the mirror to where they meet. The image
is upright and larger than the object. 
• Reflector
- a reflector is an improvised or
specialised reflective surface used to
redirect light towards a given subject or
scene.
- The light bulb is fixed in position at the
focal point of the concave mirror to
produce a beam of parallel light rays so
that the light rays will maintain a uniform
intensity for a greater distance.
How a reflector works
Path of light on a reflector
Reflector
Car headlight
Board reflector
Reflector umbrella used in
photography
• Magnifying Mirror
- Concave mirror in magnifying mirror
magnifies the images so that a person
can have a closer look on something.
- The images produced are upright.
Magnifying Mirror
 Convex Mirror
• The image formed by a convex mirror is
always behind the mirror, virtual, upright
and diminished.
• Rear-view mirror
- A rear-view mirror is designed to give
drivers a wide-angle view and allow
them to see rearward through the
vehicle's rear windscreen.
- Rear view mirrors are made out of a
mirror that is a wedge of glass instead
of two parallel planes of glass.
- During daytime viewing, the rear view
mirror is set so that the reflection is from
the back, silvered part of the mirror.
- At night, the mirror is tilted so that the
reflection of the headlights behind you
only hit the front glass surface of the
mirror and reflects from it. Since this
surface is only 5% reflective, the glare is
significantly reduced.
- If you look at the ceiling while
someone else is driving using the night
setting of the mirror at night, you see a
bright reflection from the car behind
you.
Rear-view mirror
Side mirror
• Other examples include wide-angle view
mirrors in shopping complexes and safety
mirrors at sharp corners on the road.
Thank You
Presented By
 LU CHI KIAN KISHENDRAN
LIM WEE ZHENG NEHRU