When light is reflected off a mirror, certain properties of the original light source may change, while others remain the same. The specific changes depend on the characteristics of the mirror and the angle of incidence of the incoming light. Here are some aspects that can be affected:
Direction: The direction of the light changes as it reflects off the mirror. The angle of incidence, which is the angle between the incident light ray and the perpendicular to the mirror's surface, is equal to the angle of reflection, which is the angle between the reflected light ray and the perpendicular to the mirror's surface. The reflected light ray bounces off the mirror in a predictable manner based on these angles.
Intensity: The intensity or brightness of the reflected light can be altered depending on the reflective properties of the mirror. Ideally, a mirror reflects most of the incident light, resulting in a high-intensity reflection. However, some light may be absorbed or scattered within the mirror material, causing a slight reduction in intensity.
Polarization: The polarization state of the reflected light can change. If the incident light is unpolarized (composed of a mix of different polarization orientations), the reflected light may become partially polarized with a preference for a specific polarization direction. The degree of polarization depends on the angle of incidence and the properties of the mirror.
Color: The color of the reflected light remains the same as the incident light unless the mirror itself has specific spectral properties. Mirrors typically reflect all wavelengths of visible light uniformly, resulting in a faithful reflection of the colors present in the incident light.
It's important to note that some properties of the original light source, such as its wavelength, frequency, and speed, remain unchanged during reflection off a mirror. These properties are inherent to the light itself and are not altered by the reflection process.
In summary, when light is reflected off a mirror, the direction of the light changes, the intensity may be slightly reduced, the polarization may be affected, but the fundamental properties like wavelength, frequency, and speed remain unaltered.