Regular and Diffused Reflection

Regular and Diffused Reflection

Types of Reflections

There are two types of reflection:

REGULAR AND DIFFUSED REFLECTION

(i) Regular Reflection: When the reflection surface is smooth and well–polished, the parallel rays falling on it are parallel to another one, the reflected light goes in one particular direction and also parallel to each other. This is regular reflection. E.g. plane mirror, reflection from still water. Reflection from a smooth surface like that of a mirror is called regular reflection. Smooth or polished surfaces give regular reflection.

(ii) Diffused and Irregular Reflection: When the reflecting surface is rough, the parallel rays falling on it are reflected in a different direction. Such reflection is known as diffused or irregular reflection. Example- Reflection of light from the wall of the room. When all the parallel rays reflected from a plane surface are not parallel, the reflection is known as diffused or irregular reflection. Uneven unpolished surfaces give irregular reflection.