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Light Science pp 51–88Cite as

Ray Optics: Reflection, Mirrors, and Kaleidoscopes

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Abstract

By observing shadows and the positions of the light sources and objects that cause the shadows, it is easy to deduce that light normally travels in straight lines.

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Further Reading

  • Ernst, Bruno. (1994). The Magic Mirror of M. C. Escher. New York: Taschen America.

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  • Goldberg, B. (1985). The Mirror and Man. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. G. (2014). Conceptual Physics, 12th ed. Boston: Pearson.

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  • Kirkpatrick, L. D., & Wheeler, G. F. (1995). Physics: A World View, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing.

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  • McLaughlin Brothers. (ca. 1900). Magic Mirror. Reprinted by Dover, Mineola, NY, 1979.

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  • Miller, Jonathon. (1998). On Reflection. London: National Gallery of London.

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  • Pendergrast, Mark. (2003). Mirror, Mirror: A History of the Human Love Affair with Reflection. New York: Basic Books.

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  • Rossing, T. D. (1990). The Science of Sound, 2nd ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuyt, M., & Joost, E. (1976). Anamorphoses: Games of Perception and Illusion in Art. New York: Abrams.

    Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Music, Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Thomas D. Rossing

  2. New Trier Township High School, Winnetka, IL, USA

    Christopher J. Chiaverina

Authors
  1. Thomas D. Rossing
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  2. Christopher J. Chiaverina
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas D. Rossing .

Glossary of Terms

anamorphosis (anamorphic art)

Artistic use of distorted images that require special mirrors to make them intelligible.

camera obscura

A darkened enclosure having an aperture through which light from external objects enters to form an image of the objects on the opposite surface.

concave surface

A surface curved like the inside of a ball.

convex surface

A surface curved like the outside of a ball.

diffuse reflection

Reflection of rays from a rough surface. The reflected rays scatter and no image is formed.

focus (focal point)

A point at which incident rays parallel to the axis of a mirror will cross after reflection.

image

Replica of an object formed by a mirror (or lens).

kaleidoscope

A device that uses two or more mirrors to form symmetrical, colorful images.

law of reflection

The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Ordinarily, both angles are measured from the normal (perpendicular) to the surface.

magnification

The ratio of the size of image to size of object.

plane of incidence

Plane that includes the incident ray and the normal (perpendicular) to the surface.

reflection

Change of direction (with reversal of the normal component) at a surface.

specular reflection

Reflection from a polished surface in which parallel rays remain parallel.

virtual image

An image created by the apparent intersection of reflected light rays when they are extended behind the reflecting surface. A virtual image cannot be projected onto a screen.

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Rossing, T.D., Chiaverina, C.J. (2019). Ray Optics: Reflection, Mirrors, and Kaleidoscopes. In: Light Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27103-9_3

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