Difference between Reflection and Refraction

Difference between Reflection and Refraction

Reflection and refraction are the phenomenon of  waves in which wave changes  its  direction  due to a change in its speed. For simplicity here we discuss difference between reflection and refraction  for light rays only.

Reflection:-

When a ray of light falls on any surface, a part of the light is sent back to the same medium. This phenomenon where the incident light falling on a surface is sent back to the same medium is known as reflection.

Reflection of light follow laws of reflection.

Laws of reflection:-

1. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the reflection surface at the point of the incidence lie in the same plane.

2. The angle which the incident ray makes with the normal is equal to the angle which the reflected ray makes to the same normal.

3. Light paths are reversible.

Refraction:-

Refraction occurs when light waves travel from a medium with a given refractive index to a medium with another at an angle. At the boundary between the media, the wave's phase velocity is altered, usually causing a change in direction. Its wavelength  increases or decreases but its frequency remains constant.

Refraction  of  light follow Snell's Law.

Snell’s Law:-

Refraction is described by Snell's law, which states that the angle of incidenceθ1 is related to the angle of refraction θ2 by

Reflection and reflection are wonderful  phenomenon which plays important role in our day to day life.

We can see our self into a mirror due to reflection of light. Reflection of light causes images turn left to right. Reflection is also used in solar furnaces where concave mirror is used to focus all the light ray into one point to rise the temperature. Moreover, reflection is also used in headlight of vehicles to focus the light and lighten the road at night.

Refraction play most important role as we can see through eye due to refraction by the lenses of our eyes. All the telescope are working on the principle of refraction. Spectacles are also based on refraction. Wherever  the lenses are used(either convex or concave) refraction is there in action.  

We should heard of Mirage in desert , which is also due to the refraction of light by the air which has different density as moving upward from the heated surface and hence have different refractive index.

Difference between Reflection and Refraction(Reflection vs Refraction)

1)Reflection is caused due to sending back of the light from different medium where as refraction is caused due to bending of light while travelling from one medium to another medium having difference in refractive index.

2)The angle of incidence and angle of reflection are the same in the case of reflection. These angles are not the same in refraction.

3)Mirrors(straight,concave or convex) are used in reflection whereas lenses(concave,convex or straight) are used in reflection.

4)Total internal reflection(eg. fish eye view) is the phenomenon which  is the part of refraction.