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In the case of reflection, it makes little difference whether it is the angle with regard to the normal or the tangent to the surface since these are simply complementary angles. However, when studying refractions, there is a simpler relationship in the direction of the light ray in terms of the angle relative to the normal.

Furthermore many mirrors do not reflect at their surface: the light ray travels through some thickness of glass before hitting the reflecting surface, and the travels through a the medium again before returning to the basic medium: air. There may be times - particularly with thicker glass - when refraction needs to be factored into the calculation of the path of the light beam.

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Q: Why angle of incidence is taken with the normal in reflection of light?
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Related questions

What are value of angle of incidence and angle of reflection for normal incidence of light on mirror?

Both are zero. Thereby it obeys the second law of reflection ie angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection.


What are angle of reflection and angle of incidence?

The angle of incidence is the angle between the incident ray of radiation (usually light) and the normal (perpendicular) at the point of incidence. Similarly, the angle of reflection is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.


What are the angle of reflection and the angle of incidence?

when the ray of light coincides on the surface, it makes an angle with the normal ( imagininary line perpendicular to the surface) this angle is called angle of incidence. When the light reflects backs after striking the surface it makes angle with the normal, this angle is called angle of reflection.


What does the law of reflected state?

light's angle of incidence is equal to the angle of its reflection. That the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection


How is the angle of incidence of light ray related to the angle of reflection?

For a smooth surface, the angle of incidence is the same as the angle of reflection.


What are the values of angle of incidence and angle of reflection for normal incidence of light on the mirror?

put a real answer on here, not Study and youll "Know" not now


What is the law flection?

I think you are asking about the law of reflection: The angle at which light hits an object, it reflects off at the same angle i.e. the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (The angle between the incident ray and the normal is known as the angle of incidence. The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is known as the angle of reflection)


Why is it easier to measure the angle of incidence an the angle of reflection n a flat surface?

When talking about reflection (normally with light), one works out the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection by drawing a line that is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the reflector and measuring the angle between this line and the ray of incidence/reflection. This line is called the normal line. It is easier to measure the angles of incidence and reflection on a flat surface, because it is easier to draw an accurate normal line.


When light is reflected from smooth surface the angle of incidence is?

The angle between the light ray and the normal (perpendicular) to the surface at the point of reflection.


The point at which light rays meet?

A normal line is the name of the line drawn perpendicular to the surface where a light ray strikes.


What are the values of angle of incidence and angle of reflection for normal incidence of light on a plane mirror?

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How do angle of reflection and angle of incidence relate?

The law of reflection states that when a ray of light reflects off a surface, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection because the light ray selects the shortest path to reach the destination. This behavior of light is known as Fermat’s principle.