Reflection of Light

The following rays are usually considered while constructing ray diagrams:

• A ray of light incident on a plane mirror at 90 degree gets reflected from the mirror along the same path.
• A ray of light falling on a plane mirror at any angle gets reflected from the mirror such that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
  The image is formed at a point where the reflected rays appear to meet.

Know Something

It has been found that if the mirrors are inclined at an angle q then the number of images is given by the relation If is not a whole number, then the number of images will be rounded off to the nearest integer.




Uses of Plane Mirrors

as a looking glass to view ourselves

by interior designers to create an illusion of depth

to fold light as in a periscope and other optical instruments

to make kaleidoscope, an interesting toy