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line of reflection

Definition

When light hits a smooth surface, it bounces off in a different direction. The line along which the light bounces off is called the line of reflection.

The line of reflection is always perpendicular to the surface at the point of impact. This means that if you draw a line from the point of impact to the top of the surface, it will be perpendicular to the surface.

The line of reflection is important for understanding how light interacts with surfaces. For example, if you shine a flashlight at a mirror, you will see the light reflected back at you. This is because the light hits the mirror and bounces off in a straight line.

How can the word be used?

The line of reflection is the path that the light travels after it is reflected from the mirror.

line of reflection

Different forms of the word

Noun: Line of reflection is the path that a ray of light travels after it is reflected from a surface.

Adjective: Line of reflection can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is related to the line of reflection. For example, the angle of reflection is the angle between the line of reflection and the normal to the surface.

Etymology

The word "line of reflection" is made up of three words:

Line: A straight path along which a point moves.

Reflection: The act of bouncing back from a surface.

Normal: A line perpendicular to a surface.

So, the word "line of reflection" literally means "the line along which light bounces back from a surface".

Question

What is a line of reflection?