Question

(adv) how does light reflect off of a smooth surface? how does this change if the surface is uneven?

Explanation:

When light reflects off a smooth surface, it undergoes specular reflection. This means that the light rays are reflected in a single, well - defined direction. The angle of incidence (the angle between the incoming light ray and the normal to the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the outgoing light ray and the normal to the surface).

If the surface is uneven, the light undergoes diffuse reflection. In this case, the light rays are reflected in many different directions. This is because each small part of the uneven surface has a different orientation of the normal. So, the incoming parallel light rays are scattered in various directions after reflection.

Answer:

When light reflects off a smooth surface, it undergoes specular reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection, light rays reflected in a single direction). When the surface is uneven, it undergoes diffuse reflection (light rays reflected in many directions).