Question

PHYSICS As a ray of light meets a mirror, the light

is reflected. The angle at which the light strikes the

mirror is the angle of incidence. The angle at which

the light is reflected is the angle of reflection. The

angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are

congruent. In the diagram below, if m RMI = 106,

find the angle of reflection and m RMJ. Please explain your answer.

Answer 1

Answer: 37 degrees

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Step-by-step explanation:

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The angle of light coming in is the same as the angle of light bouncing out. Each angle is made with the dashed line as the diagram shows.

So angle RMI = 106 is bisected, i.e. divided in half, to get

• Angle RMN = 53
• Angle NMI = 53

since 106/2 = 53

Then notice that the horizontal dashed line is perpendicular to the vertical mirror. This means angle NMJ is a 90 degree angle and,

angle RMJ = (angle NMJ) - (angle RMN)

angle RMJ = 90 - 53

angle RMJ = 37 degrees

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In short: divide 106 in half to get 53, then subtract it from 90