Angle of Incidence

Angle of Incidence When a ray of light strikes a reflecting surface, then the angle of incidence is the angle formed when the light ray touches the reflecting surface. Angle of incidence is always taken as the measure between the light ray and the normal drawn to the reflecting surface. According to the Laws of reflection, this angle of incidence is equal to the angle of the reflection as well. Example 1: Light ray strikes a reflecting surface making an angle of 20 with the surface. Find the angle of incidence, the angle of reflection and sketch the path of the light ray. Angle of incidence is the angle formed by the light ray with respect to the perpendicular or normal drawn to the reflecting surface. Hence, angle of incidence = 90 - 20 = 70 According to the laws of reflection, angle of incidence = angle of reflection Hence, angle of reflection = 70 Example 2: A ray of light strikes a reflecting surface making an angle of 60 with the surface. Find the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection of the light ray. Given the angle of the light ray made with respect to the reflecting surface = 60 Angle of incidence is the angle formed by the light ray with respect to the normal drawn to the reflecting surface. Hence, angle of incidence = 90 - 60 = 30 According to the laws of reflection, angle of incidence = angle of reflection Hence, angle of reflection = 30