Question

Differentiate between regular and irregular reflection.

Answer 1

- Hint: The meaning of regular is arranged in a regular or definite pattern. The meaning of irregular is not balanced in shape or arrangement. Draw the diagram and show incident ray and reflected ray on that diagram. Smooth surfaces reflect light in definite direction and rough surface in all directions.

Complete step-by-step solution -

Reflection is the change in direction of a wave front at an interface between two different media so that the wave front returns into the medium from which it originated. Example of reflection is reflection of sound, reflection of light, reflection of waves etc.

Difference between regular and irregular reflection is as follows-
(1). If all the parallel rays which are reflected from a plane surface are not parallel then that reflection of incident rays is known as irregular reflection.
If all the parallel rays which are reflected from a plane surface are parallel then that reflection of incident rays is known as regular reflection.
(2). Reflection from smooth highly polished surface for example mirror, surface of silver gives regular reflection.
Reflection from a rough and uneven surface for example wood, leaf of tree, piece of paper etc gives irregular reflection.
(3). In regular reflection, light reflected from a smooth surface in a definite direction.
In irregular reflection, light reflected from a rough surface in all directions and not in a definite direction.

Note: We can observe both regular and irregular reflection practically. Take a smooth mirror and a rough wood and observe regular and irregular reflection of sunlight. Observe that when light is reflected from a smooth mirror then it is in a definite direction or in all directions. Do the same for rough surfaces and observe the changes in the reflection pattern of light.