REFLECTION

Reflection is the change in direction of a wave front at an interface between two different
media so that the wave front returns into the medium from which it originated. Common
examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves. The law of reflection says that
for specular reflection the angle at which the wave is incident on the surface equals the angle at
which it is reflected. Mirrors exhibit specular reflection.
Reflection of light is either specular (mirror-like) or diffuse (retaining the energy, but losing the
image) depending on the nature of the interface. A mirror provides the most common model for
specular light reflection, and typically consists of a glass sheet with a metallic coating where the
reflection actually occurs. Reflection is enhanced in metals by suppression of wave propagation
beyond their skin depths. Reflection also occurs at the surface of transparent media, such
as water or glass.

In the diagram at left, a light ray PO strikes a vertical mirror at point O, and the reflected ray
is OQ. By projecting an imaginary line through point O perpendicular to the mirror, known as
the normal, we can measure the angle of incidence, i and the angle of reflection, r. The law of
reflection states that i = r, or in other words, the angle of incidence equals the angle of
reflection.
In fact, reflection of light may occur whenever light travels from a medium of a given refractive
index into a medium with a different refractive index. In the most general case, a certain fraction
of the light is reflected from the interface, and the remainder is refracted
Laws of reflection
If the reflecting surface is very smooth, the reflection of light that occurs is called specular or
regular reflection. The laws of reflection are as follows:
1. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the reflection surface at the point of
the incidence lie in the same plane.

2. The angle which the incident ray makes with the normal is equal to the angle which the
reflected ray makes to the same normal.
3. The reflected ray and the incident ray are on the opposite sides of the normal.

Mechanism
In the classical electrodynamics, light is considered as electromagnetic wave, which is governed
by the Maxwell Equations. Light waves incident on a material induce small oscillations
of polarisation in the individual atoms (or oscillation of electrons, in metals), causing each
particle to radiate a small secondary wave (in all directions, like a dipole antenna). All these
waves add up to give specular reflection and refraction, according to the Huygens-Fresnel
principle.
REFRACTION
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave due to a change in its medium. It is essentially
a surface phenomenon. The phenomenon is mainly in governance to the law of conservation
of energy and momentum. Due to change of medium, the phase velocity of the wave is changed
but its frequency remains constant. This is most commonly observed when a wave passes from
one medium to another at any angle other than 90 or 0. Refraction of light is the most
commonly observed phenomenon, but any type of wave can refract when it interacts with a
medium, for example when sound waves pass from one medium into another or when water
waves move into water of a different depth. Refraction is described by Snell's law, which states
that for a given pair of media and a wave with a single frequency, the ratio of the sines of
the angle of incidence 1 and angle of refraction 2 is equivalent to the ratio of phase velocities
(v1 / v2) in the two media, or equivalently, to the opposite ratio of the indices of refraction (n2 /
n1):

Refractive index of water = 1.33 ; air =1.0003

EXPLANATION

In optics, refraction is a phenomenon that often occurs when waves travel from a medium with a
given refractive index to a medium with another at an oblique angle. At the boundary between
the media, the wave's phase velocity is altered, usually causing a change in direction.
Its wavelength increases or decreases but its frequency remains constant. For example, a light
ray will refract as it enters and leaves glass, assuming there is a change in refractive index. A ray
traveling along the normal (perpendicular to the boundary) will change speed, but not direction.
Refraction still occurs in this case. Understanding of this concept led to
the invention of lenses and the refracting telescope.