what is a reflection

A reflection is an isometry, which means the original and image are congruent, that can be described as a "flip". To perform a geometry reflection, a line of reflection is needed; the resulting orientation of the two figures are opposite.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/reflection.html

A reflection is the change in direction of a wave, such as light or sound, when it encounters a surface and returns back to the medium from which it originated. It occurs when a wavefront encounters a boundary, and a portion of the wave energy is bounced back into the original medium.

To understand reflections, it helps to know about a few key concepts:

1. Incident Wave: This is the initial wave that strikes the surface.
2. Normal: The imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface at the point of contact.
3. Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident wave and the normal.
4. Angle of Reflection: The angle between the reflected wave and the normal.

To predict the reflection of a wave, you can follow these steps:

1. Draw the incident wave coming towards the surface, considering its direction and shape.
2. Draw the normal line perpendicular to the surface, meeting the point of contact with the wave.
3. Measure the angle of incidence between the incident wave and the normal.
4. Use the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
5. Draw the reflected wave on the other side of the normal, making the same angle with it.

This process allows you to visualize and understand how a wave reflects off a surface. Keep in mind that the reflection can be influenced by various factors, such as the nature of the surface (smooth or rough), the wavelength of the wave, and the angle of incidence.