According to the law of reflection, what relationship exists between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection?

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This means that when a wave, such as light, strikes a reflective surface, the angle at which it comes in (the angle of incidence) will be identical to the angle at which it bounces off the surface (the angle of reflection). This fundamental principle applies to all types of waves, including light waves, sound waves, and water waves, making it a cornerstone concept in the study of optics.

In practical terms, if a beam of light strikes a mirror at a certain angle, it will reflect off that mirror at the same angle. This relationship allows us to predict the behavior of light and other waves, which is essential for designing optical devices like lenses and mirrors. Understanding this equality helps in various applications, such as in engineering and physics problems where the paths of waves are crucial.