What is the difference between refracted and reflected

The incident ray, the refracted ray, and normal ray at the interface of any two-given medium, all lie in the same plane. Let us now discuss what are the important difference between reflection and refraction in tabular form:. As we have seen the difference between reflection and refraction, let us now discuss some Examples of Reflection and Refraction. The mirror rearview mirror in vehicles is a classic example of the phenomenon of reflection.

The Microscope is another example as utilizes a mirror as well. An astronomical reflecting telescope that uses a parabolic mirror and a plane mirror are also examples of reflection. There are numerous phenomena based on refraction like how the object bends when partially submerged in water, or the mirages seen in a hot desert. The major difference between reflection and refraction is that the former refers to the bouncing back of the light into the light originating source while the latter covers the bending of light when it passes through one medium to another.

These concave mirrors are reflectors used in vehicles. Angle of incidence Equal to the angle of reflection. Not equal to the angle of refraction. Occurence Mirrors Lenses. In simple terms, reflection implies the rebounding of light, sound, heat or another object back to the source, without absorbing it. It alters the direction of the beam of light, when it falls on the plane, amidst two media, so that the ray goes back to the medium, in which it is generated. The law of reflection says:. These two principles are apposite to all kinds of reflecting planes.

Reflection can be of two types:. Refraction can be understood as the phenomenon of light, wherein the wave is diverted when it passes diagonally through the interface between two media of different densities. It refers to the shift in direction and speed of the beam of light or radio waves, because of the change in transmission medium.

Reflection and refraction are both phenomena that depend on the properties of light, the reason we can see different things. The difference between reflection and refraction is that reflection gives out the perfect image or representation of the image whereas refraction provides a distorted image. Reflection is the phenomenon when the light that strikes on a surface or a medium bounces back into the same medium, instead of going through the medium.

This is what forms images and these images are commonly known as reflection. Refraction is when the propagation speed of the light rays changes on striking a medium and they change their direction along with it. But they do not form a perfect image of the object, instead form a distorted one. Reflection is the phenomenon of light when the light rays strike on a medium but it is bounced back into the same medium instead of entering the second medium.

This phenomenon is commonly observed in shining and smooth surfaces. These surfaces usually reflect most of the incident light rays forming a perfect or an almost perfect replica or image of the object. The number of reflected rays does not only depend on the smoothness of the surface but also the physical properties of the object that is to be reflected.

Reflection works on the laws of reflection. This law states that the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection. Diffraction is when light waves bend around obstacles placed in their path and bend into the shadow region.

This phenomenon is responsible for interference patterns being formed on screen placed behind diffraction apparatus for example. Equations are valid for calculating conditions and positions of interference bands. What is the difference between reflection, refraction, and diffraction? Trevor Ryan. Mar 22,