There is a ray of light falling on a plane mirror. When the mirror is turned through 5º, the reflected ray is found to have moved by 10º.
Why does that happen?
2006-12-20 04:36:53 · 3 answers · asked by heyheyhey 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Easier to draw out then explain. Since the angle incoming is 5 Degrees. And the angle outgoing is 5 degrees. The diffrence between the two angles is 10 degrees. i.e. if the incoming angle was 6 degrees the diffrence would be 12 degrees. Get it?
2006-12-20 04:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by Nagash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can prove this with help of geometry by drawing a ray diagram which follows the law of reflection that is angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection for the same incident ray but for both original position of mirror and then rotated position of mirror.
You can also think this way that by rotating the mirror through 5 degrees we rotate the perpendicular at the point of incidence through 5 degrees let us say in clockwise direction such tha the angle of incidence decreases by th esame amount. Now we think that the angle of reflection as measured from the new normal must also dcrease by 5 degrees. But the normal itself is 5 degrrea away from the original reflected ray, so the angle between the two reflected rays must be twice teh angle throug which mirror was rotated.
2006-12-20 12:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by Let'slearntothink 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop it! Stop it! All of you brainy people are confusing me!
2006-12-20 12:44:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋