What are the laws of optics?

The laws of optics describe the behavior of light as it interacts with different surfaces and materials. There are two main laws that govern the reflection and refraction of light.

Law of Reflection:

This law states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
In simpler terms, when light strikes a reflective surface (like a mirror), it bounces off in such a way that the angle at which it hits the surface (angle of incidence) is the same as the angle at which it leaves the surface (angle of reflection).
Mathematically, this can be written as:
Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r)
Law of Refraction (Snell's Law):

This law governs how light bends when it passes from one medium into another (e.g., from air into water or glass).
The amount of bending depends on the refractive indices of the two media and the angle at which the light enters the new medium.
Snell's law is expressed as:
n₁ * sin(i) = n₂ * sin(r)
Where:
n₁ = refractive index of the first medium
n₂ = refractive index of the second medium
i = angle of incidence
r = angle of refraction
These two fundamental laws explain most optical phenomena, such as the formation of images in mirrors and lenses, and the bending of light as it travels through different substances.