Law of Reflection Calculator

What is the Law of Reflection?

The Law of Reflection states that when a wave hits a reflective surface, the angle of incidence (the angle between the incoming wave and the perpendicular to the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the outgoing wave and the perpendicular to the surface). This law applies to all types of waves, including light, sound, and water waves.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the Incident Angle (the angle at which the wave hits the surface, measured in degrees) in the first input field.
2. Optionally, enter the Reflected Angle if you want to verify it against the calculated value.
3. Click the Calculate button to perform the calculation.
4. The calculator will display both angles and verify if they satisfy the Law of Reflection.

Example Usage

Suppose a light ray hits a mirror at an angle of 30 degrees to the normal (perpendicular line to the mirror surface). According to the Law of Reflection:

• Incident Angle = 30°
• Reflected Angle = 30°

In this calculator, you would enter 30 in the Incident Angle field and click Calculate. The calculator would then confirm that the Reflected Angle is also 30°.

Principle Explanations

The Law of Reflection is fundamental in many areas of physics and engineering:

• Optics: Used to design mirrors, lenses, and other optical instruments.
• Acoustics: Explains how sound reflects off surfaces to create echoes.
• Seismology: Helps in understanding how seismic waves reflect off different layers of the Earth.
• Navigation: Used in radar systems and sonar technology.