What is the difference between a reflection and a refraction?

Understand the difference between reflection and refraction, two optical phenomena involving the change in direction of light when it encounters surfaces or materials.

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Difference Between Reflection and Refraction

Reflection and refraction are two phenomena related to the behavior of light when it encounters a boundary between two different mediums. Here are the key differences between them:

Reflection

Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, such as a mirror. The angle of incidence (the angle at which the light hits the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which the light bounces off the surface). This follows the law of reflection.

Reflection does not change the speed of light but alters its direction. The image produced by reflection is a mirror image of the object.

Refraction

Refraction happens when light passes from one medium to another, such as air to water, and changes direction due to the change in speed. The change in speed causes the light to bend. The amount of bending depends on the difference in the refractive indices of the two mediums.

Refraction causes the light to change direction and can result in the light bending towards or away from the normal line, depending on the refractive indices of the two mediums.

In summary, reflection involves the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface, while refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

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Holger
11 Ques 1 Ans
answered 27 Aug 2024

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