Beschreibung:
<jats:p> Both total and differential cross sections for the reflection of light beams off finite solid surfaces obtained by the rotation of a generic derivable convex function are presented. The calculations are developed using elementary notions of mathematics and are therefore suitable for introductory undergraduate university physics courses. Three particular cases are discussed as examples of the general procedure and of the possible considerations about cross sections in general and the physical properties of specific systems. </jats:p>