Class VIII
Light
Reflection: Change in the direction of light, in the same medium, after striking a surface is called reflection.
Incident ray: The ray which strikes a surface is called incident ray.
Reflected ray: The ray which bounces back is called reflected ray.
Normal: A line perpendicular to reflecting surface at the point of incidence is called normal.
Angle of incidence: It’s the angle between normal and incident ray.
Angle of reflection: It’s the angle between normal and reflected ray.
Laws of reflection: 1) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
2) The incident ray, reflected ray and normal at the point of incidence lie in the same plane.
Types of reflection: 1) Regular reflection: It takes place from a smooth and shiny surface. The rays are in a well
defined direction after reflection. An image is formed in this reflection.
2) Diffused or irregular reflection: It takes place from a rough surface. The rays of light scatter after reflection. No
image is formed in this reflection.
Lateral inversion: In a plane mirror the left side of an object appears on right and vice versa, this is known as lateral
inversion.
Luminous objects: The objects which emit their own light are called luminous objects. Sun, candle, stars
Non luminous or illuminated objects: The objects, which do not emit their own light and are visible when rays of
light reflect from them, are called illuminated objects. Moon, planets, objects like table etc.
Dispersion- The splitting of light into its constituent colours after passing through water, glass etc is called
dispersion. Ex. rainbow.
Human eye – 1) spherical, 2.5cm in diameter, helps to see by forming image of object.
Parts of eye-
Cornea – Outer transparent part that protects eye.
Iris – Gives colour to eyes. Helps to reduce or increase the size of pupil according to the light available.
Pupil - dark in colour. Light passes through it.
Lens – focuses the rays of light passing through it on retina.
Ciliary muscles- Hold the eye lens. Help to increase or decrease focal length of eye lens.
Retina- acts like a screen. Image formed is sensed by nerve cells and message is sent to brain through optic nerves.
Brain interprets these signals and helps us to see.
Difference between rods and cones- 1) rods help to see in dim light but cones help to see in bright light.
2)night birds have more rods and day birds have more cones.
Braille script- Important resource helpful to blind people. Developed by Louis Braille.
Points to remember
1.) There can be only one reflected ray for a given single incident ray falling on a plane mirror.
2.) A ray of light which is incident normally on a mirror is reflected back along the same path because the angle of
incidence for such a ray of light is 0o the angle of reflection is also 0o.
3.) Diffused reflection is caused by the roughness in the reflecting surface of an object.
4.) If a person is standing at a distance of 1 metre in front of a plane mirror, then distance between the person &
his image will be 2 metres.
5.) In an image formed by plane mirror, the left side of the object appears on the right
side in the image whereas the right side of the object appears on the left side in the image.
This change of sides of an object & its mirror image is called Lateral inversion.
6.) As the angle between the two plane mirrors decreases, the number of images formed increases.
When the angle between the two plane mirrors becomes 0o ie. When the two mirrors are parallel to each other
then infinite number of images is formed.
7.) An interesting feature of a kaleidoscope is that we can never see the same patterns
again. Every time a new pattern is formed. Kaleidoscope are used by designers of wall
papers & fabrics, as well as by artists to get ideas for new patterns.
8.) Rainbow in the sky is natural phenomenon showing the dispersion of sunlight.
Rainbow is produced by the dispersion of sunlight by the tiny rain drops suspended in the
atmosphere (which act as tiny prisms made of water).
9.) The adjustment of the size of pupil takes some time. That’ when we go from a
bright light to a darkened cinema hall, at first we cannot see our surroundings clearly.
MLP QUESTIONS
1. An incident ray makes an angle of 750 with the surface of a plane mirror. What will be the angle of reflection?
2. What is the difference between regular reflection and diffused reflection of light?
3. Name the cells on the retina of an eye:
(a) which are sensitive to bright light.
(b) which are sensitive to dim light.
(c) which produces sensation of colours.
4. Draw a labeled sketch of human eye?
5. Give differences between real and virtual image.
6. Give two applications of multiple reflection of light.
HLP QUESTIONS
1. A ray of light strikes a plane mirror XY at an angle of incidence of 65 degree, is reflected from this plane mirror
and then strikes a second plane mirror YZ placed at right angles to the first mirror .What is the angle of
reflection for the mirror YZ.
Ans: 25 degree
2. The eye of a person exhibits a phenomenon X due to which it can see the image of an object for a short
duration of Y even after the object has disappeared from his view. It is due to the phenomenon X that we are
able to see moving Z on a television screen. What are X, Y and Z?
Ans: X is persistence of vision. Y = 1/16 seconds and Z = pictures.
3. Reflected light can be reflected again", give an example to justify this statement.
Ans: Sit in front of a mirror, tell your friend to hold a mirror behind you to see your hair cut, your hair
image will be shown in the mirror in front of you, this is the best example of reflected light can be reflected again.
4. Why owl can see very well in the night but not during the day like other animals?
Ans: The owl has a large cornea and a large pupil to allow more light into the eye. It has large number of
rods on its retina and few cones that enables it to see properly in dim light or in dark.
5. Name the point inside the human eye where the image is not visible.
Ans: Blind spot.
6. A man stands 10m in front of a large plane mirror. How far must he walk before he is 5m away from his image?
Ans: 7.5m
WEB LINKS- Light
https://youtu.be/vt-SG7Pn8UU
https://youtu.be/sZXVS1uSCeg
