Light reflection. Law of reflection

Would you like to know more about light reflection and its laws?

The online light reflection simulations on this page will allow you to deepen your understanding of the mechanism of light reflection, its main parameters and the laws that govern it.

Light reflection is the phenomenon by which light incident on a surface is deflected and returned to the medium in which it is found. This process is due to the behavior of light as an electromagnetic wave that propagates in a vacuum and in material media with a constant and rectilinear velocity, but alters its direction of propagation when it encounters a surface.

The reflection of light is governed by the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, measured from the normal to the surface. It should be noted that the reflection of light can be altered by various factors, such as surface roughness or the presence of absorbing materials.

The reflection of light is a fundamental process in optics, since it allows the formation of images on mirrors and other reflective surfaces. In addition, light reflection also has many technological applications, such as in the construction of telescopes and in optical communication, among other fields.

In conclusion, light reflection is a fundamental process in physics and optics, which allows the formation of images on mirrors and other reflective surfaces, and has applications in various fields of technology. Its study and understanding are essential to understand the behavior of light and its interaction with matter.

Below are several simulations and other educational resources, which can also serve as very illustrative examples. In addition, a selection of books and courses is included to help you broaden your knowledge of this subject.

Reflection
Candle
Fiber
Multiple
Lab

Law of reflection

This simulation studies the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection when a beam of light strikes a reflecting surface.

Reflection of a candle on a mirror

This simulation allows us to observe the reflection of a candle in a mirror and how the image looks to the eye. Drag the candle and check the results.

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Fiber optic cable

This simulation allows us to change the thickness and shape of a fiber optic cable and observe the reflection of light inside it.

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Multiple reflections

This simulation allows us to see how different images are generated by multiple reflections. Change the angle between the mirrors and click on each of the orange dots to observe the process.

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Reflection and refraction lab

Explore the bending of light between two media with different refractive indices. See how changing from air to water to glass changes the angle of reflection. Play with prisms of different shapes and create a rainbow.