Introduction

Worldwide presence of physics and optics, two concepts that are used very often are Reflection y Refraction. Both phenomena take place when light interacts with matter, but although they may seem similar, they are actually very different processes. In this article we are going to talk about the differences between reflection and refraction, and how they manifest themselves In nature.

Reflection

Reflection is a physical phenomenon in which light bounces off a surface and returns to the medium in which it was originally found. In most cases, the reflected light will form a mirror image of the surface it is reflecting off. A common example of reflection is what happens when we look at our reflection in a mirror.

• The angle of incidence (the angle of the light reaching the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle of the reflected light)
• The brighter the surface, the greater the amount of light reflected.
• The reflected light can be polarized, which means that vibrates in only one address

Refraction

Refraction occurs when light bends as it passes from one medium to another with a different density. If light enters the new medium at an oblique angle, it bends and changes direction in the process. This is what gives rise to the impression that a straight pencil appears "broken" when immersed in water.

• The angle of refraction depends of the speed of light in the new environment
• Light moves slower in denser media, such as water or glass, so it will bend toward the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface separating the two media)
• Refraction produces interesting visual effects, such as rainbows, which occur when light refracts off small water droplets in the atmosphere.

What makes them different?

In summary, the Main differences between the two phenomena are:

1. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, while refraction occurs when light passes through a medium and is bent
2. In reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, while in refraction the angle of incidence is different from the angle of refraction.
3. Reflection produces a mirror image, while refraction can do make objects appear larger or smaller
4. Reflection is responsible for the appearance of mirrors, while refraction is used in the manufacture of lenses and prisms.

Conclusion

In short, reflection and refraction are two different processes that occur when light interacts with matter. Although they may sometimes seem similar, they have very different characteristics that make them unique and fascinating. The more we know about these phenomena, the more we can understand about how the world around us works.