All Textbook Topics - Light - Key light terms - In the context of light rays, incident means light heading towards something e.g. a mirror
In the context of light rays, incident means light heading towards something e.g. a mirror
In the context of light rays, incident means light heading towards something e.g. a mirror. In the photo below, you would describe the light coming out of the ray box as incident on the mirror:
![](https://cdn.figureoutphysics.com/text/1587133244TCVkJvEQYaRNLdhu02fmMIHx58i716.png)
Here is a diagram of this scenario:
![](https://cdn.figureoutphysics.com/text/1587133245XTrsvwSk8UORcDCEa1lq3W0upf5j9A.png)
If you shine a torch on an object, you would describe the torchlight as incident on the object. In the photo below, the torchlight is incident on the rock:
![](https://cdn.figureoutphysics.com/text/1587133491NjiKTM0JmgpoWvhO8IcfSbBu5kYRax.png)
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