What is reflected light?

Reflected light refers to light that has traveled from a source, struck a surface, and then bounced off that surface. This process involves the interaction of light with various materials, which causes it to change direction while retaining its overall energy and properties. The most common examples are when sunlight bounces off mirrors or water surfaces, making those surfaces visible to the observer.

In this context, direct light from a source does not qualify as reflected light, nor does light that gets absorbed by a surface, as those processes do not involve the bouncing of light but rather its capture. While scattered light can play a role in visibility and illumination, it is typically described as light dispersed in various directions rather than specifically reflecting off surfaces. Thus, the definition of reflected light is encapsulated perfectly in the choice of light that has bounced off a surface.