Regular Reflection
Back to Top
Regular Reflection on a Smooth Surface
Regular reflection takes place when a ray of light is incident on a polished smooth surface like a mirror. Here the reflected ray of light moves only in a fixed direction.
Irregular Reflection or Diffused Reflection
Back to Top
Diffused Reflection on a Rough Surface
Irregular reflection or diffused reflection takes place when a ray of light is incident on a wall or wood, which is not smooth or polished. In this case, the different portions of the surface reflect the incident light in different directions. In such cases no definite image is formed, but the surface becomes visible. It is commonly known as scattering of light. Thus diffused reflection makes non-luminous objects visible.
Not all light, which hits an object, is reflected. Some of the incident light is absorbed. The brightness of an object depends on the intensity of the incident light and also on the reflectivity of the object.
If a surface allows the entire incident light to undergo regular reflection then it will become invisible.
