0
the light bounces of the water and makes the water shine
This (above) doesn't really answer the question. It has to do with the light rays going from one media to a different media (air/water).
For a detailed description look at this page in wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection_%28physics%29
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Does a mirror reflect without light?
light is needed to reflect an image off a mirror...no light no reflection
How does light reflect off a convex and concave?
A parallel light source will reflect off a concave mirror and go through a point inside the curve called the focus. Reflecting from a convex mirror will cause all light to bounce off in a straight line away from a focus point behind the mirror.
At what angle does a light ray reflect off a mirror?
It reflects at like 45 degrees I think. No, it reflects off at the same angle it hits the mirror. If the light wave hits the mirror at a 30o angle on the left side, it will reflect off at a 30o angle on the right side. Scientists usually measure these angles from an imaginary line perpendicular to the mirror at the point where the light wave hits the reflecting surface; sounds awkward, but it makes the math easier.
What is a line of reflection?
A line of reflection is a reflected line, often off of a mirror. If a flashlight sends a beam of light at a mirror (the light is called the incident beam), the angle at which it hits the mirror will equall the angle at which the reflected beam of light (called the reflected beam), exits the mirror. This is called the Law of Reflection. This is why light is reflected from a mirror at the same angle at which light struck its surface. A line of reflection is a reflected line, often off of a mirror. If a flashlight sends a beam of light at a mirror (the light is called the incident beam), the angle at which it hits the mirror will equall the angle at which the reflected beam of light (called the reflected beam), exits the mirror. This is called the Law of Reflection. This is why light is reflected from a mirror at the same angle at which light struck its surface.
Why does light reflect in a mirror?
A glass mirror is a piece of glass with a reflective coating on the back side. If a surface is extremely smooth and flat, it will reflect light waves without distorting them. Metal mirrors are less efficient, generally because the metal is difficult to polish to the same smoothness as glass. Water can be an effective mirror, if the surface of it is perfectly smooth. The question is Why? The answer is that light reflects off everything. It is normal for light to reflect. A photon hits an atom or molecule of substance and it bounces off it. That's how come we can see things. Because light bounces off them. So it is no mystery that light bounces off (reflects) mirrors. The only difference between mirrors and other things is they bounce nearly ALL the light wave lengths back and are smooth to not distort the reflection and we are accustomed to use them for looking at ourselves and come to think of them as different. If all the wavelengths were not reflected the mirror would have a colour. The colour of the reflected wavelengths of light. Absorption of a wavelength would be, I'd guess (I'm no scientist) the losing of some of the energy of those photons - lose all its energy and it'd be extinguished, I guess. Possibly the question really should be Why Can't We See A Mirror? because that's the funny thing: we see only the reflections and fail to see the reflective surface and that's because, again, 'seeing' means looking at reflected light. light bounces off the reflecting surface of the mirror. Note the reflecting surface of a mirror is commonly the metallic coating on the back of a sheet of glass. So if it's reflecting off metal why not make metal mirrors with no glass? Because this way is cheaper and easier. Depositing a fine layer of metal on a totally smooth piece of glass is a lot easier than taking a piece of metal and and polishing to a high finish - and then keep it that way.
Does a mirror reflect without light?
light is needed to reflect an image off a mirror...no light no reflection
How does light reflect off a mirror?
amsw2. A mirror, provided it is smooth to below the wavelength of light, will reflect the light in the same way you can see a water wave be reflected from a wall.
How does light reflect off a plane mirror?
amsw2. A mirror, provided it is smooth to below the wavelength of light, will reflect the light in the same way you can see a water wave be reflected from a wall.
What will happen when a light is shone at a mirror?
it will reflect off it
Can a light reflect off a mirror?
yes it can because reflection is logic
How does light reflect off a convex and concave?
A parallel light source will reflect off a concave mirror and go through a point inside the curve called the focus. Reflecting from a convex mirror will cause all light to bounce off in a straight line away from a focus point behind the mirror.
Why does light reflect better off a mirror than a sheet of paper?
Paper absorbs the light, but the shiny surface of the mirror reflects it.
Which explains how a plane mirror works?
light rays reflect off an object, strike the mirror, and are reflected into your eyes.
Why does a leaser beam reflect off a mirror?
any light reflects off a mirror that's y u can c ur self
How can you use a mirror to signal a friend in the house across the street?
You can point a mirror towards the sunlight, which would cause the light to reflect off the mirror, and if the mirror is tilted to a position towards your friends house, then the light will bounce off into his/her house.
How does light bounce off a mirror?
Mirrors reflect light without disturbing the incoming image, which is called specular reflection. A mirror reflects a light print of anything in front of it.
How does light reflect off a smooth surface like a mirror?
A regular reflection.
