Regular and Irregular Reflection


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Regular and Irregular Reflection

Reflecting surfaces

When light from the sun or any source falls on an object, we are able to see the object because the light reflected by the object reaches our eyes. Reflection by a regular surface is referred to as regular reflection. A rough surface reflects a parallel beam of light incident upon it in all directions. The small bumps and irregularities on a rough surface cause each of the light rays to reflect in different directions. This kind of reflection is called irregular or diffused reflection.

Regular Reflection

When a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one direction Regular Reflection takes place. Regular reflection of light occurs from smooth surfaces like a plane mirror or a highly polished metal surfaces. This happens because all the particles of a smooth surface are facing in one direction. Due to this the angle of incidence for all the parallel rays of light falling on it is the same and hence the angle of reflection are the same for all the rays. Since angle of incidence and angle of reflection are equal for all the rays. So the incident parallel beam will remain parallel after reflection.

Diffused Or Irregular Reflection

When a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different directions or gets scattered  Diffused Or Irregular Reflection takes place. Irregular reflection of light occurs from rough surfaces like a paper, cardboard, table etc. This happens because all the particles of a rough surface are facing in different direction. Due to this the angle of incidence for all the parallel rays of light falling on it is different and hence the angle of reflection will not be the same for all the rays. The angle of incidence and angle of reflection are equal for a particular ray. The different rays of a parallel beam are reflected at different angles,so the incident parallel beam will get scattered after reflection.The laws of reflection are also followed in the case of irregular reflection.

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Sample Questions
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Question : 1

 _____________________ of light occurs from smooth surfaces like a plane mirror or a highly polished metal surfaces.

Right Option : B
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Question : 2

Reflection by a regular surface is referred to as ____________  reflection.

Right Option : A
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Question : 3

Which of the following are correct :

(a) When a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one direction Irregular Reflection takes place.

(b) When a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different directions or gets scattered  Diffused Or Irregular Reflection takes place.

Right Option : B
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Explanation
 
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