A ray of light strikes a mirror at an angle of 38 degrees to the normal. What is the angle that the reflected angle makes with the normal?
Please help me with this question.
I don't understand it.
2007-03-26 14:05:42 · 4 answers · asked by vicky p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The same 38 degree angle but in the other direction.
2007-03-26 14:09:44 · answer #1 · answered by suigeneris-impetus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you put your axis. Usually the mirror will be the x-axis and the ray striking the mirror is measered as an acute angle to the plane of the mirror. In that case, the angle of reflection you're looking for would be 180deg-38deg=142deg. That would be the measured angle from the same orientation as the striking ray...however, you want the angle measured to the normal...which is perpendicular to the plane of the mirror. The answer is 90deg-38deg=52deg.
2007-03-26 21:21:40 · answer #2 · answered by christianad1156 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The angle of reflection would be the same as the angle of incidence. This is a law of science found by observation. There are things in the observation of matter that can be described and predicted, but not fully understood as to, "why does it do that". Some others would be gravity and electromagnetism.
2007-03-26 21:20:15 · answer #3 · answered by Bomba 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
38 degrees is the reflection, light does not bend, so it reflects at the same exact angle
2007-03-26 21:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by J. K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋