ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how to determine the amplitude and energy reflection and transmission coefficients of an electromagnetic wave at an interface by using a plane monochromatic wave. Reflection of an electromagnetic wave is observed only in the presence of an inhomogeneity, and the simplest and the best pronounced example of the inhomogeneity is interface between two homogeneous media. To study the basic laws of reflection, the chapter considers the simplest model of a plane wave reflected from a plane boundary between the two media. The laws of reflection and refraction follow from the boundary conditions for the electromagnetic field vectors. The chapter carries out an analysis of the processes of reflection and refraction for monochromatic waves. It also presents some exercise problems related to electromagnetic fields and waves.
