When a light ray strikes an interface a part of it gets reflected, a part of it gets absorbed while another part gets refracted. Why does light reflect? Why does it refract?
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asked Feb 24, 2015 at 7:11
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$\begingroup$ possible duplicate of Looking for the actual reason of refraction explained precisely without analogies $\endgroup$– John RennieCommented Feb 24, 2015 at 7:17
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1$\begingroup$ @JohnRennie - the question you linked is about refraction and does not seem to include reflection - unless I read it incorrectly. $\endgroup$– tomCommented Feb 24, 2015 at 11:05
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$\begingroup$ @tom: the same physics applies to both - understand one and you understand the other. $\endgroup$– John RennieCommented Feb 24, 2015 at 11:15
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1$\begingroup$ @JohnRennie - the discussion on the other question seemed to be centred around the change in angle with refraction. What was not clear to me was how to predict the relative fractions of light refracted and reflected at different angles - and then polarization is important in this too of course... - is it possible to use the information in the question you linked to address these issues? $\endgroup$– tomCommented Feb 24, 2015 at 11:26
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$\begingroup$ @JohnRennie I explained the reflection here. $\endgroup$– SofiaCommented Feb 25, 2015 at 0:17
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