Difference Between Reflection and Refraction

 The two phenomena based on straight light propagation are reflection and refraction, wherein the reflection deals with the bouncing of light rays whereas the refraction talks about bending of light rays.

There is usually a misunderstanding that occurs when anybody hears the terms Reflection and Refraction. During Refraction, the incident ray enters the medium and the refracted ray is the ray that leaves out of the medium. Usually, there is a particular angle at which the light enters the medium through which it needs to disperse and refract off of. Thus, this is the key difference between Reflection and Refraction.

Reflection

• This phenomenon usually occurs in mirrors.
• Reflection can simply be defined as the reflection of light when it strikes the medium on a plane.
• The light entering the medium returns to the same direction.
• Considering the light waves, they bounce from the plane and change direction.
• The angle of incidence of the light is equal to the angle of reflection.

Refraction

• This phenomenon usually occurs in Lenses.
• Refraction can be defined as the process of the shift of light when it passes through a medium leading to the bending of light.
• The light entering the medium travels from one medium to another.
• The light waves pass through the surface while simultaneously change from medium to medium.
• The angle of incidence is not equal to the angle of reflection.