Question 13 Marks
In the given figure, m and it are two plane mirrors perpendicular to each other. Show that the incident ray CA is parallel to the reflected ray BD.


Answer
View full question & answer→Let the normal to mirrors m and n intersect at P. Now, $\text{OB }\bot\text{ m }\bot\text{ OC},\ \bot\ \text{n}$ and $\text{m }\bot\text{ n}.$$\Rightarrow\text{OB }\bot\text{ OC}$
$\Rightarrow\angle\text{APB}=90^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle2+\angle3=90^\circ$ (sum of acute angles of a right triangle is 90°)
By the laws of reflection, we have$\angle1=\angle2$ and $\angle4=\angle3$ (angle of incidence = angle of reflection)
$\Rightarrow\angle1+\angle4=\angle2+\angle3=90^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle1+\angle2+\angle3+\angle4=180^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle\text{CAB}+\angle\text{ABD}=180^\circ$
But, $\angle\text{CAB}$ and $\angle\text{ABD}$ consecutive interior angles formed, when the transversal AB cuts CA and BD.$\therefore$ CA || BD
$\Rightarrow\angle\text{APB}=90^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle2+\angle3=90^\circ$ (sum of acute angles of a right triangle is 90°)
By the laws of reflection, we have$\angle1=\angle2$ and $\angle4=\angle3$ (angle of incidence = angle of reflection)
$\Rightarrow\angle1+\angle4=\angle2+\angle3=90^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle1+\angle2+\angle3+\angle4=180^\circ$
$\Rightarrow\angle\text{CAB}+\angle\text{ABD}=180^\circ$
But, $\angle\text{CAB}$ and $\angle\text{ABD}$ consecutive interior angles formed, when the transversal AB cuts CA and BD.$\therefore$ CA || BD
Now, draw a ray OF in the opposite direction of OE, such that EOF is a straight line. Let $\angle\text{COE}=1,\angle\text{AOE}=2,\angle\text{BOF}=3$ and $\angle\text{DOF}=4.$ We know that vertically-opposite angles are equal.$\therefore\angle1=\angle4$ and $\angle2=\angle3$




