What is the law of reflection?
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Physics 0972 (Extended) (2026–2028) · 3.2.1
Revise Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Physics 0972 (Extended) (2026–2028) specification point 3.2.1, Reflection of light, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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What is the law of reflection?
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
What is the normal at the point where a light ray meets a surface?
An imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at that point.
How are the angles of incidence and reflection measured?
How does light from an object reach an observer to form a plane-mirror image?
It reflects at the mirror and reaches the observer.
Where do reflected rays appear to come from in a plane mirror?
From points behind the mirror, where the rays meet when extended backwards.
Why is a plane-mirror image virtual?
Light does not actually pass through the apparent image points behind the mirror.
How does the size of a plane-mirror image compare with the object's size?
The image is the same size as the object.
How does a plane-mirror image's distance behind the mirror compare with the object's distance in front?
The distances are equal, measured perpendicular to the mirror.