Final answer:
A reflected ray represents energy that bounces off an interface. This concept is important in physics where the law of reflection and refraction govern how light behaves when interacting with different materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of ray that represents energy bouncing off an interface is known as a reflected ray. When light strikes a material, some of the light is reflected back while other parts may be transmitted or absorbed. In physics, this is described by the law of reflection, where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Additionally, when light encounters a thin film, it can be partially reflected and partially refracted, leading to interference patterns dependent on the thickness of the film and the indices of refraction. Surfaces like a water drop also reflect and refract light, dispersing it and potentially creating phenomena like rainbows.