This diagram covers Reflection — The Law of Reflection within Reflection & Refraction for GCSE Physics. Revise Reflection & Refraction in Waves for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 2 of 13 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.
📊 Reflection — The Law of Reflection
Figure 1: The law of reflection — angles measured from the normal
LAW OF REFLECTION: Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection (i = r)
IMPORTANT: All angles are measured from the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence) — NOT from the surface itself.
TYPES OF REFLECTION:
- Specular (smooth surface) — All rays reflect in the same direction → clear image (e.g., mirror)
- Diffuse (rough surface) — Rays scatter in many directions → no clear image (e.g., paper, walls)
Practice questions for Reflection & Refraction
According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is:
Explain why a ray of light bends when it passes from air into water.