Light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of 34° relative to its surface. What is the angle of reflection?

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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**Question:** 

Light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of 34° relative to its surface. What is the angle of reflection?

[Textbox for input] °

**Explanation:** 

In physics, the law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Both of these angles are measured relative to the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the mirror.

- **Diagram Explanation (if applicable):** There is no diagram available, but typically, one would visualize a ray striking a mirror with the normal line drawn perpendicular to the point of incidence. The angle with the surface is provided, and understanding requires calculating the angle with the normal.

To find the angle with the normal: 
\[ \text{Angle of incidence} = 90° - 34° \]

The angle of reflection will be equal to the angle of incidence, following the law of reflection.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** Light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of 34° relative to its surface. What is the angle of reflection? [Textbox for input] ° **Explanation:** In physics, the law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Both of these angles are measured relative to the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the mirror. - **Diagram Explanation (if applicable):** There is no diagram available, but typically, one would visualize a ray striking a mirror with the normal line drawn perpendicular to the point of incidence. The angle with the surface is provided, and understanding requires calculating the angle with the normal. To find the angle with the normal: \[ \text{Angle of incidence} = 90° - 34° \] The angle of reflection will be equal to the angle of incidence, following the law of reflection.
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