ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Beckman–Quarles theorem

The Beckman-Quarles Theorem is like a super special secret code that helps us understand how light bounces off a flat surface. When light hits a flat surface, it bounces off at a specific angle. Imagine you throw a ball at a wall, the ball is like the light and the wall is like the flat surface. Depending on how you throw the ball, it will bounce off the wall at a certain angle.

Now, the Beckman-Quarles Theorem tells us that the way the light bounces off the surface depends on how rough or smooth the surface is. If the surface is very smooth, like a mirror, the angle at which the light bounces off will be very predictable and it will be reflected like a perfect mirror image. However, if the surface is rough or bumpy, like the surface of a rock or a piece of wood, then the light will bounce off in all directions and it will create an uneven reflection.

So, in essence, the Beckman-Quarles Theorem helps us understand how different surfaces reflect light and it can help us design things like mirrors or even computer graphics. It's a really cool tool that scientists and engineers use every day!