Reflection of light
Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) · Unit 3: Waves · 8 flashcards
Reflection of light is topic 3.2.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) syllabus
, positioned in Unit 3 — Waves , alongside General properties of waves, Refraction of light and Thin lenses.
In one line: (a) Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
(b) Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
(c) Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).
The deck below contains 8 flashcards — 2 definitions — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the 2 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
The following terms in the context of reflection of light: (a) Normal (b) Angle of Incidence (c) Angle of Reflection
(a) Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
(b) Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
(c) Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
What the Cambridge 0625 syllabus says
Official 2026-2028 specThese are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.
- Define Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection
- Describe Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and give its characteristics, i.e. same size, same distance from mirror, virtual
- State State that for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection; recall and use this relationship
- Use Use simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors Supplement
Define the following terms in the context of reflection of light: (a) Normal (b) Angle of Incidence (c) Angle of Reflection
(a) Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
(b) Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
(c) Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror. The angle between the incident ray and the mirror surface is 53°. State the angle of reflection.
The angle of incidence is the angle between the incident ray and the normal. Since the angle between the ray and mirror is 53°, the angle of incidence is 90° - 53° = 37°.
The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, so the angle of reflection is 37°.
Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and state its characteristics.
Formation: Light rays from an object strike the plane mirror and are reflected. The reflected rays appear to originate from a point behind the mirror. The point where the reflected rays appear to diverge from is the image location.
Characteristics:
1. Same size as the object.
2. Same distance from the mirror as the object.
3. Virtual (cannot be projected onto a screen).
A small toy car is placed 15 cm in front of a plane mirror. What are the characteristics of the image formed?
The image will have the following characteristics:
1. Size: Same size as the toy car.
2. Distance: The image will be 15 cm behind the mirror.
3. Nature: The image will be virtual.
A ray of light strikes a plane mirror with an angle of incidence of 35°. What is the angle of reflection?
The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.
Therefore, angle of reflection = 35°
State the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection when light reflects off a smooth surface.
For reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of 45° to the normal. Calculate the angle of reflection.
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
Angle of incidence = 45°
Angle of reflection = 45°
Explanation: The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
State what is meant by the 'normal' when discussing the reflection of light from a plane mirror.
The normal is a line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the mirror at the point where the incident ray strikes the mirror. It serves as a reference line for measuring the angles of incidence and reflection.
Key Questions: Reflection of light
Define the following terms in the context of reflection of light: (a) Normal (b) Angle of Incidence (c) Angle of Reflection
(a) Normal: An imaginary line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
(b) Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
(c) Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
State what is meant by the 'normal' when discussing the reflection of light from a plane mirror.
The normal is a line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the mirror at the point where the incident ray strikes the mirror. It serves as a reference line for measuring the angles of incidence and reflection.
More topics in Unit 3 — Waves
Reflection of light sits alongside these Physics decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Key terms covered in this Reflection of light deck
Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.
Related Physics guides
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