14.2: Reflection

Describe the reflection of light from a surface.

14.2.B.1 Light that is incident on a surface can be reflected.

14.2.B.2 The law of reflection states that the angle between the incident ray and the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface) is equal to the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

14.2.B.3 Diffuse reflection is the reflection of light from a rough surface and results in light reflected in many different directions because the normal to the surface varies over the area the light strikes.

14.2.B.4 Specular reflection is the reflection of light from a smooth surface and results in light uniformly reflecting from the surface because the normal to the surface is in an approximately constant direction over the area the light strikes.