Light and Mirror Introduction

To grasp the concept of a mirror, one must first know the process that supports it and what makes it a reflecting medium. The law of reflection asserts that when a ray of light falls on a reflecting surface, the reflected ray has its angle of reflection.

The regular reflection of light is the phenomenon that occurs when light is reflected on a dispersed or polished surface. A mirror is also the name given to the surface on which light is reflected. Before we know the relation of the mirror with lights, let’s understand what it exactly means! 

What is light?

Light is a type of energy that manifests itself as an electromagnetic wave and can be found practically anywhere—the wavelengths of visible light range from 400 to 700 nanometers. The Sun is the primary light source for plants, which they use to generate energy.

The term “light” in physics also refers to electromagnetic radiation of various wavelengths, whether visible to the naked eye or not. As a result, gamma rays, microwaves, X-rays, and radio waves all fall under the category of light.

What is the mirror definition in physics?

According to physics, a mirror is a surface that reflects nearly all types of light impacting it. Furthermore, unless an opaque object is placed between the reflecting surface and the light source, a mirror will continue to reflect light regularly.

How does a mirror work?

We know that a light beam is reflected when it strikes a reflecting surface. We also know that light is made out of energy, reflected or absorbed. Mirrors reflect light energy.

Diffuse reflection occurs when light energy collides with a rough surface and bounces back in all directions. However, specular reflection occurs when light bounces back from a smooth surface in one direction.

Types of mirrors

When using mirror with lights, here are the following types of mirrors are used: 

• Convex mirror:

These are bent outward spherical mirrors that produce a tangible item’s ritual, reduced, and erect image.

• Concave mirrors:

Inwardly curved spherical mirrors where the image produced is dependent on the object’s positioning.

• Plane mirror:

The reflected images in their typical proportions are reversed from left to right in the images created by a plane mirror. These are the most widely used mirrors.

Optical properties of light

In physics, light also refers to electromagnetic waves that exist in various wavelengths, whether visible or invisible to the naked eye. The properties that the light shows are as follows:

• Reflection

When you place something in front of a mirror, it shows reflection. The picture is believed to be the object’s reflection. The light is responsible for the object’s reflection in the mirror. One of the most important aspects of light is reflection.

The shift in the direction of light that strikes at the interface between distinct materials is known as reflection.

• Refraction

When light travels from one medium to another, it bends. The bending of light is referred to as the refraction of light. This refraction feature is used in various devices, including corrective lenses, microscopes, and magnifying glasses. When light passes through a material, the direction of the light is changed due to electron polarisation, resulting in a drop in the speed of light. 

• Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

Total internal reflection is a quality of light. When light rays go from a more optically dense material to a less optically dense medium, a phenomenon known as total internal reflection occurs.

When light rays pass through a water medium and into an air medium, they are refracted at the interface between the two. 

The incident ray of light is refracted at 90 degrees when it passes through the water’s surface at a specified angle of incidence (critical angle). When the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, the incident ray is reflected in the medium.

• Speed of light

In open space, light moves at a tremendous rate. The speed at which light waves move through various mediums is known as the speed of light. In a vacuum, the speed of light is 1,86,282 miles per second (2,99,792 kilometres per second). Compared to vacuum, the speed of light in water is 30 percent lower.

• Dispersion

When white light passes through a specific medium, it separates into its constituent hues. A prism can be used to visualise dispersion. The formation of rainbow formation is a perfect example of dispersion of light. When petrol or oil is spilled on water, light falls on CDs, soap bubbles, or plastic scales, dispersion occurs.

Conclusion: 

As you can see, reflection on a plane mirror is the process of producing a virtual and erect mirror image. As a result, there is a strong link between mirrors and light reflection.

Here, we’ve learned about the mirror with lights, mirror, types of mirrors, dispersion of light, reflection, refraction of light through a prism, essential properties of light, and other core topics