Mission RM4 Regular vs. Diffuse Reflection
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Diffuse reflection is different than regular (or specular) reflection. In diffuse reflection, light _____; this is not the case for regular reflection. Include all that apply.
Diffuse reflection occurs when a beam of light (a collection of several individual light rays) reflects off a rough surface. Each individual light ray within the beam approaches the surface parallel to each other. Upon reflection, the individual light rays within the original beam scatter (or diffuse) in different directions.
Because diffuse reflection happens distinctly differently than regular or specular reflection, many students falsely believe that it demonstrates two different rules of reflection. To them, regular reflection follows the law of reflection and diffuse reflection follows some other law. But don't be fooled! In both cases, the law of reflection is followed.
As discussed in the Don't Be Fooled section, light follows the law of reflection in both the case of diffuse reflection and the case of regular or specular reflection. So this is not a difference between the two types of reflection.
