GCSE Physics (AQA)

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Angle of Incidence & Reflection

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Waves Waves in air, fluids and solids

Angle of Incidence & Reflection

3:59 Transmission, Reflection and Absorption
Spec 4.6.1.3
Previous Transmission & Wave Speed Next Mirror Images
  • Reflection can be investigated using a ray box and a plain mirror.
  • Reflection occurs when a wave reaches a boundary between two different media and bounces off it.
  • A mirror is a flat and polished surface that makes reflections controlled and easier to observe.
  • A ray box produces a thin beam of light that travels in a single direction.
  • The ray directed at the mirror is called the incident ray, and the ray reflecting off the mirror is the reflected ray.
  • The normal is a line drawn at 90 degrees to the reflective surface.
  • The angle of incidence is the angle between the incident ray and the normal.
  • The angle of reflection is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
  • The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection (I = R).
  • This law applies to all waves, not just light rays.
  • Echoing is a type of reflection of sound waves off a building.
  • Sound waves spread out and hit the building at different points, reflecting in various directions, including back towards the source.

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