Today was the first day back at school (I'm in 6th form this year) and I'm already confused by this 'reflection of light' business we learnt in physics class.
I already know that the 'normal' is the line perpendicular to the surface at the point where the incident and reflected ray meet. The angle of incidence and angle of reflection are measured from the normal. The angle of the incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Here is the question:
1. A ray of light makes an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal to a plane mirror. The mirror is turned 6 Degrees so the angle of incidence becomes 31 Degrees. Through what angle is the reflected ray rotated?
This is what I've gathered from the question (please tell me if im wrong)~ if the ray of light makes an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal, the reflected ray would also make an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal. I'm confused about how the mirror is 'turned' 6 degrees. If the angle of incidence becomes 31 Degrees, won't the reflected ray also have an angle of 31 degrees? And then the question; Through what angle is the reflected ray rotated~ how does the ray rotate? Isn't the answer 6 Degrees?
I know the answer is not 6 Degrees as at the back of the book it says 12 degrees yet provides no explanation. Fat load of help that is.
Please explain in as much detail as possible if you know how to get 12 degrees.
Thanks for reading!
I already know that the 'normal' is the line perpendicular to the surface at the point where the incident and reflected ray meet. The angle of incidence and angle of reflection are measured from the normal. The angle of the incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Here is the question:
1. A ray of light makes an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal to a plane mirror. The mirror is turned 6 Degrees so the angle of incidence becomes 31 Degrees. Through what angle is the reflected ray rotated?
This is what I've gathered from the question (please tell me if im wrong)~ if the ray of light makes an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal, the reflected ray would also make an angle of 25 Degrees with the normal. I'm confused about how the mirror is 'turned' 6 degrees. If the angle of incidence becomes 31 Degrees, won't the reflected ray also have an angle of 31 degrees? And then the question; Through what angle is the reflected ray rotated~ how does the ray rotate? Isn't the answer 6 Degrees?
I know the answer is not 6 Degrees as at the back of the book it says 12 degrees yet provides no explanation. Fat load of help that is.
Please explain in as much detail as possible if you know how to get 12 degrees.
Thanks for reading!