Physics – 3.2.1 Reflection of light | e-Consult

A plane mirror works by reflecting light according to the Law of Reflection. When a light ray strikes the mirror's surface, it hits the surface and is reflected. Imagine drawing a line perpendicular to the mirror's surface at the point of incidence – this is the normal. The light ray strikes the normal at a specific angle of incidence. The reflected light ray then travels away from the mirror at an equal angle of reflection, also measured from the normal.

[Image missing: Diagram of plane mirror reflection]

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, ensuring that the image appears to be behind the mirror. The human eye perceives the reflected light as if it's originating from a point behind the mirror, creating the illusion of depth.