|
When a ray of light hits a surface, it bounces off or reflects and then reaches our eyes. This phenomenon by which a ray of light changes the direction of propagation when it strikes a boundary between different media through which it cannot pass is described as the reflection of light.
Or in simpler words reflection is the bouncing of light from a smooth surface.
There are two types of reflection of light:
- Regular reflection
or specular reflection
- Irregular reflection
or diffused reflection
Specular or regular reflection is the perfect, mirror-like reflection of light.
In this type of reflection the reflected rays are also parallel to each other.
Reflection in a mirror, a water surface and highly polished floors, are examples of regular reflections.
Irregular reflection or diffused reflection takes place when a ray of light is incident on a wall or wood, which is not smooth or polished. In this case, the different portions of the surface reflect the incident light in different directions. In such cases no definite image is formed, but the surface becomes visible. It is commonly known as scattering of light. Thus diffused reflection makes non-luminous objects visible.
Not all light, which hits an object, is reflected. Some of the incident light is absorbed. The brightness of an object depends on the intensity of the incident light and also on the reflectivity of the object.
If a surface allows the entire incident light to undergo regular reflection then it will become invisible.
| 
