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Reflected ray

Definition

The reflected ray is the ray of light that bounces off a surface after striking it. It follows the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Analogy

Imagine throwing a ball against a wall and watching it bounce back at the same angle it hit the wall. The path that the ball takes after bouncing back is similar to how a reflected ray behaves when it strikes a surface.

Related terms

Incident ray: The incident ray is the incoming ray of light that strikes a surface.

Angle of incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal line.

Law of reflection: A rule stating that when light reflects off a surface, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.