if the Moon's spherical surface gave specular reflection, what would it resemble at full moon?
http://cosmoquest.org/forum/showthread.php?91956-The-Moon-Specular-and-Diffuse-Reflection
If the Moon's surface gave specular reflection, it means that it would reflect light in a way similar to a mirror. In this hypothetical scenario, during a full moon, we would expect the Moon to resemble a perfect spherical mirror.
To understand why this is the case, let's break it down:
1. Full Moon: A full moon occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are positioned in a straight line, with the Earth located between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment causes the entire illuminated side of the Moon to face the Earth.
2. Specular Reflection: Specular reflection refers to the type of reflection that occurs when light rays bounce off a smooth surface in a regular manner, similar to a mirror. Unlike diffuse reflection, which scatters light in many directions, specular reflection produces a well-defined, mirror-like reflection.
3. Spherical Surface: The Moon is approximately spherical in shape. So, if its surface were to give specular reflection, we would expect to see a perfectly round, mirror-like image of the Sun on the Moon's surface during a full moon.
It is important to note that in reality, the Moon's surface does not exhibit specular reflection. Instead, it reflects light diffusely, which is why we observe the Moon as a bright, illuminated object during a full moon.