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The reflection of light
from a surface can either be specular or diffuse. Flat, smooth
surfaces like mirrors and many metal surfaces exhibit specular
reflection (angle of reflection of the specular beam equals the angle
of incidence). Rougher surfaces such as paper are diffuse reflectors
(the reflected light is distributed over a wide range of angles). Of
course for many materials their reflectivity is a combination of
specular and diffuse reflection
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