What principle describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection?

The principle that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection is that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. This principle is derived from the law of reflection, which states that when a wave, such as light, strikes a reflective surface, the angle at which the wave enters the surface (the angle of incidence) is always equal to the angle at which it reflects away from the surface (the angle of reflection).

This equality holds true regardless of the surface characteristics or the nature of the wave. It is a fundamental concept in optics and is crucial for understanding various phenomena, such as the behavior of mirrors and the paths of light in different situations. This principle is foundational to understanding how light interacts with surfaces, helping students grasp more complex topics in physics and optics later on.