The red plastic reflector on
the back of a bicycle is shaped so that light from a cars
headlight hits the front surface at a very small angle of
incidence. But the back of the plastic is angled. The light
hits this surface at a high angle of incidence. Total internal
reflection occurs. All the light bounces back , and is returned
in the direction from which it came. No matter in which
direction the light is incident on the reflector, it
always retraces its path. So car drivers see the reflection
of their own headlights in the reflector.
The same principle is used in
automobile reflectors.
The question that can arise out
the concept of reflectors is : Why cant a mirror be used
in place of reflectors, the answer is that mirror does
not reflect back the light in the same direction as the
source so the source will not be able to see the reflector
or the object like car, mototrcycle that has the refelctor
mounted on it .
The concept of the reflecting
back along the same path is illustrated in the aninmation
through a animated ray diagram.
Explanation of the same phenomenon
can be applied to the Questions like
Can a reflector be used for measuring the distance of moon
from earth
What are the shortcoming of a reflector
These questions are answered
in the explanatory section of the animation
If you are still unclear about the concepts, please refer
the animation.
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