Which VT viewing technique uses reflection to inspect surfaces?

• A. Direct lighting
• B. Oblique lighting
• C. Mirror or reflective viewing
• D. Borescopic viewing

Answer: (C)

This question tests the idea of inspecting a surface by using reflection. Mirror or reflective viewing relies on a polished mirror or other reflective surface to redirect the image of the surface into the observer’s eye, so subtle flaws become visible as distortions or changes in the reflected image. This method is especially effective for revealing surface conditions on smooth or curved parts, where direct viewing might miss edge or texture details.

Direct lighting simply shines light onto the surface and you observe the reflected light, but it doesn’t require or rely on a reflective tool to view the surface from a different angle. Oblique lighting uses light coming in at an angle to create shadows that highlight texture and defects, again without a dedicated reflective viewing surface. Borescopic viewing uses a probe or camera to inspect inside or hard-to-reach areas, not primarily about using reflection to reveal surface features.