A plane mirror which is a highly polished surface reflects the light on it.This is the regular reflection.However,irregular surfaces also do the same and it is called irregular reflection.I am not able to understand that if both are reflecting surafces why does a plane mirror form an image but a rough surface doesa not.

ICSE Class 9 Answered

A plane mirror which is a highly polished surface reflects the light on it.This is the regular reflection.However,irregular surfaces also do the same and it is called irregular reflection.I am not able to understand that if both are reflecting surafces why does a plane mirror form an image but a rough surface doesa not.

Asked by fairyapoorva11 | 28 Nov, 2014, 04:47: PM

Expert Answer

In case of rough surfaces, there are many irregularities due to which all the particles of the surface are facing in different directions. Due to this, the angle of incidence of all the parallel rays of light falling on the surface is different. Hence, all the angles of reflection of all the rays of light are also different. As all the angles of incidence and angles of reflection are different, the parallel rays of light falling on surface go in different directions after reflection. Due to the diffuse reflection caused by the rough surface, no mage is formed.

Answered by Yashvanti Jain | 08 Dec, 2017, 07:54: PM