What does the law of reflection state about waves?

The law of reflection states that when a wave encounters a reflective surface, the angle at which the wave strikes the surface (the angle of incidence) is equal to the angle at which it is reflected away from the surface (the angle of reflection). This fundamental principle can be observed in various types of waves, including light and sound waves.

Understanding this law is crucial in fields such as optics and acoustics, as it helps predict how waves will behave when they interact with different materials. The equal angles imply that the path taken by the wave is symmetrical relative to the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence).

The other options present ideas that do not align with the established principles of wave behavior. For example, claiming that the angle of incidence is greater than the angle of reflection contradicts the law itself. Stating that the angle of incidence affects the speed of the wave misunderstands the relationship between angle and wave behavior, as the speed of the wave in a given medium is determined by the medium's characteristics, not the angle of incidence. Lastly, saying that reflection only occurs at a fixed boundary overlooks scenarios such as reflection on curved surfaces or at varying boundary conditions.