Question

If a ray of light is incident at an angle of 60 degrees to the normal, then the angle formed by the reflected ray with the normal is equal to________.

Answer 1

Hint: In order to solve this problem follow the rules stated in that of reflection of light. Angle of incidence is defined as the angle made between the incident ray and the normal Ray. Angle of reflection is defined as the angle between the reflected ray and the normal ray.

Complete answer:
An uneven surface forms an uneven and deformative image whereas a smooth mirror like surface forms a regular image. The image formed by a mirror is laterally inverted, erect and real. Mera scan for the be divided into concave and convex mirrors.

Concave mirrors give us a real and inverted image and they are used in torches, searchlights and headlights of the vehicle's whereas the convex mirror gives us a virtual erect and diminished image which are used in lenses, magnifying glasses and telescopes.

The law of reflection states that when a light ray is reflected on a smooth surface the angle of reflected ray and the angle of incident ray which it makes to the normal is equal. Thus, if the incident ray makes an angle of 60 degree with the normal ray, the reflected ray will also make an angle of 60 degree with the normal ray.

Law of reflection also states that the incident ray normal ray and the reflected ray lie on the same plane. If an incident ray falls on an irregular surface then the laws of reflection are not followed and the angle of incidence and angle of reflection are not equal to each other.

Hence the angle formed by the reflected ray with the normal is equal to 60 degrees.

Note:When a ray of light strikes the surface between two optical materials at normal incidence (at right angles), the ray travels in a straight line. When the ray is incident at any other angle, it refracts and changes direction. Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another medium.