Reflection and Refraction - Essay Example

Reflection and Refraction Light has numerous properties that influence the visual appearance of objects and images. Through science, individuals can understand the movement of electromagnetic waves that make up light. There are two distinct properties of light that have been tested through lab experiments. According to the light ray model, light travels in a straight direction (Stille 35). In its direction, light passes through both solid and liquid matter. When light moving in one direction meets an opaque substance, it bounces off the substance and moves in the opposite direction.

On the other hand, when light moving in one direction meets a transparent substance, it is deflected and changes the angle of direction. The properties mentioned above represent reflection and refraction respectively. Reflection is visible when the direction of light is obscured by an opaque substance. Although some light may be absorbed by the substance, most of it bounces off the substances and moves in the opposite direction. The laws of reflection explain that both the angle of reflection and incidence are equal (Stille 37).

However, this depends on the nature of the surface that lights bounces off. A smooth surface will produce an equal angle of reflection as that of incidence. However, a rough surface will produce multiple rays reflected at different angles. The laws of reflection were visible during the lab experiment where rays of light were shone on a mirror. In addition, the laws explain how images are formed by mirrors. Snell’s law explains how light behaves when it moves from one form of matter to another.

When light travels from one medium to another, it produces transmitted rays that appear to be bending (Stille 38). Refraction is influenced by both the densities of the two media and the angle of the incident ray. The laws of refraction were visible in the lab experiment where students viewed a coin immersed in a glass bottle. Work CitedStille, Darlene R. Manipulating Light: Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption. Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point, 2006. Print.