Differences Between Reflection and Refraction

Reflection is when light bounces off an object, while refraction is when light bends while passing through an object.
When you look at a mirror the light bounces of the mirror from different angles, so you can see your reflection. If you point light or a laser pointer at a mirror, it will reflect to the wall in front of the mirror.
Refraction is when light bends. For example, When there is a rainbow in the sky, the light from the sun is being refracted from the particles of water and splits the light up into different colors. Try shining a light in a clear prism!

Definition of Reflection

In simple terms, reflection implies the rebounding of light, sound, heat or another object back to the source, without absorbing it. It alters the direction of the beam of light, when it falls on the plane, amidst two media, so that the ray goes back to the medium, in which it is generated. The law of reflection says:

1. The angle of incidence is identical to the angle of reflection.
2. The ray of incidence, ray of reflection and the normal drawn at the point of incidence, to the mirror, occurs at the same plane.

These two principles are apposite to all kinds of reflecting planes. Reflection can be of two types:

• Regular reflection: Otherwise known as specular reflection, which occurs when the beam of light falls on a regular, polished and smooth plane, such as metal or mirror, reflects light at the same angle as it is incident to the surface.
• Irregular reflection: Also called as diffused reflection, which takes place when the beam of light is incident on the rough surface and reflects light in diverse directions

Definition of Refraction

Refraction can be understood as the phenomenon of light, wherein the wave is diverted when it passes diagonally through the interface between two media of different densities. It refers to the shift in direction and speed of the beam of light or radio waves, because of the change in transmission medium
Refractive index is the ratio of the angle of incidence to the angle of refraction. It ascertains the speed of a ray of light in the new medium, i.e. the denser the medium the slow is the speed of light, and vice versa. Hence, the degree of bending vests on the refractive index of the two media.

Differences Between Reflection and Refraction

The points presented below are substantial, so far as the difference between reflection and refraction is concerned:

1. The reverting of light or sound waves in the same medium, when it falls on the plane, is called reflection. The shift in the direction of the radio waves, when it enters medium with different density, is known as refraction.
2. In reflection, light ray falling on the plane returns to the same medium. Conversely, in refraction, the ray falling on the plane travels from one medium to another.
3. In reflection, the waves bounce off the surface. On the contrary, in refraction, the waves pass through the surface, that changes their speed and direction.
4. In reflection, the angle of incidence is same as the angle of reflection. As against this, the angle of incidence is not similar to the angle of refraction.
5. Reflection takes place in mirrors, while refraction occurs in lenses.