What does the angle of reflection represent?

The angle of reflection is defined as the angle formed between the reflected ray of light and the normal line. The normal is an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the surface at the point where the incident ray strikes the mirror or reflective surface. According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection is always equal to the angle of incidence, measured between the incident ray and the normal.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it illustrates the predictable behavior of light when it interacts with reflective surfaces. The law of reflection states that for any incoming ray striking a reflective surface, the angle at which it is reflected off the surface will match the angle at which it arrived, both in relation to the normal. Thus, the correct definition specifies the relationship of the reflected ray to the normal rather than to the incident ray or the mirror itself.

Therefore, this choice emphasizes the angle's position relative to the normal, which is a fundamental principle in optics.