specular reflection
Light bounces back
Specular reflection is the mirror-like reflection of light or other waves from a smooth surface, where the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.
Unlike diffuse reflection from rough surfaces, specular reflection preserves the image: The specular reflection off the lake made it look like glass.
The term appears in physics, computer graphics, and photography.
- angle of incidenceIncoming direction relative to perpendicular
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- mirrorsReflective glass surfaces
- mirror finishPerfectly reflective surface
- polished metalSmoothed reflective metallic surface
reflectivity · wavefront · telescopes · light ray · glossiness · glare · cameras · electromagnetic wave · polarization · smooth surface · laser systems · texture · solar panels · virtual image · glint · bright spot · optical sensors · coating
- light behaviorrefraction, diffraction, scattering, absorption, emission
- renderingray tracing, shaders, shader, reflections, shadows
- metallic thingsgold, silver, copper, platinum, chrome
- radiation
- sound reflectionsecho, reverberation, reverb, slapback