Q1. A ray of light is incident on the ( ) plane mirror along a unit vector, ̂ = ̂ ̂ ̂.

√ √ √

Find the unit vector along the reflected ray.

Sol. Normal unit vector to the ( ) plane mirror is along – direction, so we have, ̂ = ̂
Unit vector along reflected ray is, ̂ = ̂ (̂ ̂) ̂

̂ =( ̂ ̂ ̂) ̂= ̂ ̂ ̂
√ √ √ √ √ √ √

We can directly say that the component of the incident ray along the normal gets reversed, i.e., along unit
vector ̂, which directly gives the result.

Q2. Two plane mirrors are combined to each other as such one is in ( ) plane and the other is in

( ) plane. A ray of light along vector ̂ ̂ ̂ is incident on the first mirror. Find the unit
√ √ √

vector in the direction of emergence ray after successive reflections through these mirrors.

Sol. After reflection from the mirror along yz plane the component of the incident ray along x direction gets
reverses so the unit vector of the ray after reflection from first mirror is given as :-

̂ = ̂ ̂ ̂
√ √ √

and finally after reflection through the second plane mirror placed along xz plane, the unit vector of the ray is

given as, ̂ = ̂ ̂ ̂
√ √ √

Q3. A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror along a vector, ̂ ̂ ̂ . The normal on incidence
̂ ̂
point is along . Find a unit vector along the reflected ray.
√
̂ ̂ ̂
Sol. Unit vector in the direction of incident ray is, ̂ =
√
̂ ̂
Unit vector in the direction of normal is, ̂ =
√

̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
So, unit vector along the reflected ray is, ̂ = ̂ (̂ ̂) ̂ = ( ) ( )
√ √ √
√

̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
̂ =
√ √ √ √ √
̂ ̂ ̂
̂ = = [ ̂ ̂ ̂]
√ √ √ √

Q4. A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror along a vector ̂ ̂ ̂ . The normal on incidence point
is along ̂ ̂. Find a unit vector along the reflected ray.
Sol. Incident ray vector is, ⃗ = ̂ ̂ ̂
̂ ̂ ̂
Unit vector in the direction of incident ray is, ̂ =
√
̂ ̂
Unit vector in the direction of normal is, ̂ =
√
̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
So, unit vector along the reflected ray is, ̂ = ̂ (̂ ̂) ̂ = ( )–2( )(√ )
√ √
̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
̂ =( )–( )(̂ ̂) = = (̂ ̂ ̂)
√ √ √ √