What is the angle of incidence and reflection when facing a plain mirror?

In summary, the law of reflection states that the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are equal when an object is perpendicular to a reflective surface. This means that when an object is facing a mirror and staring directly at its reflection, both angles will be zero. This may differ from the examples given in school books, where the angle is typically slanted.
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What is the law of reflection to the object, when it's perpendicular to the reflective surface. For example, if you face a mirror and stare eye to eye with the reflection- what is the angle?If I have understood correctly, the angle of incidence/reflection is equal, so if for the mirror is reflecting straight back, does this make the angle zero?I am confused because in the school book they gave us the angle is always slanted (example 45 degrees/90 http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/316/lectures/img1298.png ) but this question relates to your own reflection directly facing a plain mirror.

thank you very much
 
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Yes, when you look straight at the mirror both angles are zero, and 0=0.
 

What is the law of reflection?

The law of reflection states that when a ray of light hits a reflective surface, the angle of incidence (the angle between the incident ray and the surface normal) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the reflected ray and the surface normal).

What is the difference between regular reflection and diffuse reflection?

Regular reflection, also known as specular reflection, occurs when a ray of light hits a smooth and flat surface, such as a mirror, and reflects in a single direction. Diffuse reflection, on the other hand, occurs when a ray of light hits an irregular or rough surface, and reflects in multiple directions.

Does the law of reflection apply to all types of waves?

Yes, the law of reflection applies to all types of waves, including light, sound, and water waves. However, the angle of reflection may vary depending on the properties of the medium in which the wave is traveling.

What is the importance of the law of reflection in everyday life?

The law of reflection is important in everyday life because it explains how we are able to see objects in our surroundings. It also plays a crucial role in the functioning of various optical devices, such as mirrors, lenses, and prisms.

Can the law of reflection be violated?

No, the law of reflection is a fundamental principle of physics and cannot be violated. However, there are certain cases where the angle of reflection may not be equal to the angle of incidence, such as when light passes through a medium with varying refractive index or when the surface is not perfectly smooth.

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