The interaction of light with surfaces and its properties are essential aspects of optics. When light strikes a surface, it bounces back, a phenomenon known as reflection. This ability to reflect light allows us to see objects because part of the light is bounced off into our eyes.
Centre of curvature, Radius of curvature and Principal Axis
The line passing through the centre of curvature and the pole is called the principal axis.
The radius of the sphere of which the mirror forms a part is called the radius of curvature.
The centre of the sphere of which the mirror forms a part is called the centre of curvature.
Lateral inversion
A image formed by a plane mirror has a interchange of left and right. This is called lateral inversion.
Laws of reflection
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie on the same plane.
1. Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
Reflection of light
The bouncing off light from a surface is known as reflection of light.
When light falls on an object, a part of it is bounced of from its surface. When this bounced light falls on our eyes, we can see the object. All objects around us bounce off a part of the light falling on them.
Concave and convex mirrors
If the reflecting surface of the mirror is curved outwards then such a mirror is called a convex mirror.
If the reflecting surface of the mirror is curved inwards then such a mirror is called a concave mirror.
Real and virtual images
Virtual image - an optical image formed from the apparent divergence of light rays from a point, as opposed to an image formed from their actual divergence.
Real image - In optics, an image is defined as the collection of focus points of light rays coming from an object. A real image is the collection of focus points actually made by converging rays, while a virtual image is the collection of focus points made by extensions of diverging rays.
Incident and reflected ray
Incident ray is when the ray strikes at a certain point on the plane. The reflected ray, meanwhile, means that the ray is bounced off from the plane.
Rectilinear propagation of light
Light cannot bend itself and always, in any situation, travels in a straight line as i mentioned in the first subtopic.
Rectilinear propagation of light proves that light travels in a straight line.