What is the reflected ray?

The reflected ray is defined as the ray of light that bounces off a surface, such as a mirror, after striking it. When light hits a reflective surface, like a mirror, it does not just absorb or pass through; instead, it follows the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence (the angle at which the incoming light ray strikes the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which the light ray reflects off the surface).

In this context, the reflected ray is the one that emerges from the surface after being redirected. This is crucial in understanding how mirrors work and how we perceive images. A clear distinction can be made from the other options: the incoming light ray refers to the initial ray that strikes the surface, the ray passing through the mirror describes light that isn't reflected or absorbed, and the ray that is bent refers to refraction, which occurs when light enters a different medium, such as water or glass. Therefore, understanding the nature of the reflected ray helps illustrate fundamental principles of optics and the behavior of light.