What is the Difference Between Braggs Reflection and Ordinary Reflection?

The key difference between Bragg's reflection and ordinary reflection lies in the way the incident radiation interacts with the crystal lattice and the angle at which the reflected radiation occurs.

1. Bragg's Reflection: This phenomenon occurs when radiation, such as X-rays or neutrons, interacts with a crystalline structure, causing the radiation to be scattered in a specific direction. The scattering angle depends on the wavelength of the incident radiation and the spacing between the crystal planes (lattice planes). Bragg's reflection is named after Bragg's law, which was developed by William Henry Bragg and his son William Lawrence Bragg. In Bragg's reflection, the incident ray is not reflected at the same angle, but rather at a specific angle dictated by Bragg's law.
2. Ordinary Reflection: In ordinary reflection, the incident radiation is reflected at the same angle, as described by the law of reflection. This law states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Ordinary reflection occurs at the surface of a material, such as a mirror or a smooth surface, and is not dependent on the internal structure of the material.

In summary, Bragg's reflection is a specific type of scattering that occurs when radiation interacts with a crystalline structure, while ordinary reflection occurs at the surface of a material and is governed by the law of reflection. The main difference between the two is the angle at which the reflected radiation occurs, which is determined by the crystal lattice spacing and wavelength of the incident radiation in Bragg's reflection, and by the law of reflection in ordinary reflection.

Comparative Table: Braggs Reflection vs Ordinary Reflection

Here is a table comparing Bragg's reflection and ordinary reflection: