AQA GCSE Specular and Diffuse Reflection(Physics)
Specular and Diffuse Reflection
When a light ray hits a surface and is reflected, there are two types of reflection:
1. Specular reflection
2. Diffuse reflection
Specular Reflection.
Specular reflection is also known as regular reflection.
This is where the light ray will strike a smooth, shiny surface such as a mirror.
The light rays reflected will form a regular pattern.
In this case the angle of incidence will equal the angle of reflection
Specular reflection is shown below:
Diffuse reflection
Diffuse reflection involves the scattering of light. Diffuse reflection will occur on rough or matt surfaces.
As the surface is uneven, the light is reflected in different directions. So, the light appears to scatter, rather than move in a predictable manner.
See the diagram below for diffuse reflection.
Practice Question
1.Describe how you could tell from a ray diagram if you were looking at specular or diffuse reflection
2. State the name of the types of surface that specular reflection occurs on
3. State the name of the type of surface that diffuse reflection occurs on.
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Ernest Rutherford and the Nuclear Model
Niels Bohr changing the Nuclear Model
Discovering the Proton and Neutron
Measuring radiation from radioactivity
Radiation types and properties
Random nature of radioactive decay
Radioactive contamination or irradiation
Hazards of contamination and irradiation
Studies on the effects of radiation on humans
Different half lives of radioactive isotopes
Nuclear Fission Chain Reaction
Writing nuclear fission equations
Drawing ray diagrams for a concave lens
Drawing Ray Diagram to produce a virtual image for a convex lens
Drawing ray diagram to produce a real image for a convex lens.
Specular and Diffuse Reflection
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Viewing objects through coloured filters
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