How does the law of reflection describe light bouncing from a smooth surface?

In optics, the law of reflection describes how light behaves when it strikes a smooth surface. According to this principle, the angle at which an incident ray arrives at the surface is exactly equal to the angle at which the reflected ray departs, both measured relative to a line normal (perpendicular) to the surface.12

Furthermore, the law dictates that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal line all lie within the same plane, known as the plane of incidence. This predictable behavior is essential for the formation of clear images in mirrors, as a smooth surface ensures that light rays are reflected uniformly rather than being scattered, which would occur at a rough or irregular boundary.123