Final answer:
The law of reflection, stating that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, applies to plane mirrors. However, for curved mirrors, the reflected angle varies depending on the mirror's curvature and the ray's point of incidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the angle that a ray hits a mirror and the angle that it reflects off the mirror depends on the mirror's shape. When a ray of light strikes a plane mirror, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. This is based on the law of reflection and applies irrespective of the angle at which the light ray hits the mirror.
Contrarily, the reflection of light by a curved mirror (be it concave or convex) is influenced by the mirror's curvature and the ray's point of incidence. For instance, a ray approaching a concave mirror parallel to its axis is reflected through the focal point. Conversely, if a ray strikes a convex mirror, it appears to have been reflected from the focal point behind the mirror.In the case of a curved mirror, such as a concave or convex mirror, the relationship between the incident angle and the reflected angle is more complex. The law of reflection still holds true, but the shape of the mirror causes the reflected ray to deviate from the initial path. This deviation depends on the curvature of the mirror and the position of the object.
Therefore, while plane mirrors maintain the angle between the incident and reflected rays, curved mirrors change these angles based on specific rules related to their shape and the location of the incident ray. Plane mirrors form virtual, erect images, while concave mirrors can form either real, inverted images or virtual, erect images, depending on the object's positioning in relation to the mirror.
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