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Reflection: IB Physics Definition

Ann Howell

Written by: Ann Howell

Reviewed by: Dan Mitchell-Garnett

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In IB Physics, reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary between two media and does not pass through, but instead bounces back to the original medium.

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence, i, is equal to the angle of reflection, r.

Diagram showing light reflection, with incident and reflected rays, normal line, boundary, angle of incidence, and angle of reflection labelled.
Reflection of a wave at a boundary

When a wave is reflected, some of it may also be absorbed or transmitted through the medium. At a boundary between two media, the incident ray is the ray that travels towards the boundary. During reflection, the frequency, wavelength and speed of the wave does not change.

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Ann Howell

Author: Ann Howell

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Ann obtained her Maths and Physics degree from the University of Bath before completing her PGCE in Science and Maths teaching. She spent ten years teaching Maths and Physics to wonderful students from all around the world whilst living in China, Ethiopia and Nepal. Now based in beautiful Devon she is thrilled to be creating awesome Physics resources to make Physics more accessible and understandable for all students, no matter their schooling or background.

Dan Mitchell-Garnett

Author: Dan Mitchell-Garnett

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Dan graduated with a First-class Masters degree in Physics at Durham University, specialising in cell membrane biophysics. After being awarded an Institute of Physics Teacher Training Scholarship, Dan taught physics in secondary schools in the North of England before moving to Save My Exams. Here, he carries on his passion for writing challenging physics questions and helping young people learn to love physics.

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