## Specular Reflectors

Specular reflection occurs when the surface from which the radiation is reflected is essentially smooth: the average surface-profile height is significantly smaller than the wavelength of incident radiation. For example, calm water bodies act as near-perfect specular reflectors: the incident energy will leave the water body at an angle equal and opposite to the incident energy. The sunglint image below is an example of such specular reflection.

Go back one step

Go to front page