Final answer:
Specular reflection is when a ray of incident light is reflected in a distinct, single direction from a smooth surface, such as a mirror.
Step-by-step explanation:
A ray of incident light being reflected in one distinct direction is representative of specular reflection. In specular reflection, light rays incident on a smooth surface, like a mirror, are reflected at specific angles according to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence. This is in contrast to diffuse reflection, where light reflects from a rough surface at many different angles, allowing an object, such as a sheet of paper, to be seen from various angles.