NCERT Solutions Curiosity Chapter 11 .5 Reflection of Light — In-text Question

Book page 16011 Updated on2026-09-05

Q1.
In a mirror, I can also see my face. Is that also due to the reflection of light?
Answer

Yes. Seeing your face in a mirror is exactly the same effect as the bright spot on the wall — it is reflection of light.

Light from a lamp or from the Sun falls on your face. Your face sends this light in all directions; some of it reaches the mirror, and the mirror reflects it back to your eyes. Your brain judges the light to be coming from behind the mirror, and you see a face there — your image.

Why it happens: A plane mirror is very smooth, so all the rays from one point of your face are reflected in an orderly way and appear to come from one point behind the mirror. A wall is rough and scatters the rays in every direction, so no image is formed on it — which is why you cannot see your face in a wall.
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