In the context of reflection, what does the angle of incidence equal?

In the context of reflection, the angle of incidence is defined as the angle at which an incoming ray of light strikes a reflective surface, measured from the normal (the perpendicular line to the surface at the point of incidence). According to the law of reflection, this angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection. The angle of reflection is the angle at which the light ray reflects off the surface, again measured from the normal.

This fundamental principle of reflection applies to all types of reflective surfaces, including mirrors and bodies of water. It establishes a predictable relationship between how light interacts with surfaces, allowing us to understand and predict the behavior of light in various contexts.

The other options do not pertain to this relationship. The angle of refraction, for example, is relevant to the bending of light when it passes into a different medium, while diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles. The angle of elevation is related to angles in relation to a horizontal plane but is not relevant to the laws governing reflection.