What happens to light when it strikes a reflective surface?

When light strikes a reflective surface, it bounces off that surface, a phenomenon known as reflection. This occurs due to the interaction of light waves with the surface material, which can be smooth and shiny, like a mirror, or rougher, like painted wood. The angle at which the light hits the surface, called the angle of incidence, is equal to the angle at which it reflects off, known as the angle of reflection.

This behavior is fundamental to how we see the world around us, as the reflected light enters our eyes and allows us to perceive objects. In contrast, light does not simply disappear when it encounters a reflective surface. It also does not slow down or get absorbed completely; rather, a portion of the light may be absorbed while the rest is reflected, depending on the properties of the material. However, the primary action for a fully reflective surface is that the majority of the light bounces off.