CHAPTER – 10 (A)
LIGHT – REFLECTION PDF-1
LIGHT
An object reflects light that falls on it. This reflected light when received by our eyes, enables
us to see things.
Reflection of light
Reflection of light is the phenomenon of bouncing back of light in the same medium on
striking the surface of any object.
There are two types of reflection:
1. Regular reflection or Specular Reflection
2. Irregular reflection or Diffuse Reflection
Regular Reflection: When the reflecting surface is smooth and well polished, the parallel rays
falling on it are reflected parallel to one another, the reflected light goes in one particular
direction. This is Regular reflection or Specular reflection see below figure.
Irregular reflection: When the reflecting surface is rough, the parallel rays falling on it
reflected in different direction, as shown in below fig. Such a reflection is known as diffuse
reflection or irregular reflection.
LAWS OF REFLECTION OF LIGHT
According to the laws of Reflection of light,
(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and
(ii) The incident ray, the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence and the
reflected ray, all lie in the same plane.
These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces including spherical
surfaces.
OBJECTS
Anything which gives out light rays either its own or reflected by it is called an object.
LUMINOUS OBJECTS: The objects like the sun, other stars, electric bulb, tube- light etc.
which emit their own light are called luminous objects.
NON – LUMINOUS OBJECTS: The objects which do not emit light themselves but only
reflect or scatter the light which falls on them, are called non-luminous objects. A flower,
chair table, book, trees, etc are all non-luminous objects.
IMAGES
Image is an optical appearance produced when light rays coming from an object are
reflected from a mirror (or refracted through lens).
REAL IMAGE
The image which can be obtained on a screen is called a real image. In a cinema hall, we see the
images of actors and actress on the screen. So, the images formed on a cinema screen is an
example of real images.
VIRTUAL IMAGE
The image which cannot be obtained on a screen is called a virtual image. A virtual image can
be seen only by looking into a mirror. The image of our face in a plane mirror is an example of
virtual image.
LATERAL INVERSION
When an object is placed in front of a plane mirror, then the right side of object appears to
become the left side of image; and the left side of object appears to become the right side of
image. This change of sides of an object and its mirror image is called lateral inversion.
The phenomenon of lateral inversion is due to the reflection of light.
MIRRORS
CHARACTERISTICS OF IMAGES FORMED BY PLANE
The characteristics of images formed by plane mirrors are:
1. The image of real object is always virtual. Such image cannot be taken on a screen.
2. The image formed in a plane mirror is always erect.
3. The size of the image in a plane mirror is always the same as the size of the object.
4. The image formed in a plane mirror is as far behind the mirror, as the object is in front of
the mirror.
5. The image formed in a plane mirror is laterally inverted i.e. the left side of the objects
becomes the right side of the image and vice-versa.
SPHERICAL MIRROR
A spherical mirror is that mirror whose reflecting surface is the part of a hollow sphere of
glass. The spherical mirrors are of two types: Concave mirror and Convex mirror.
CONCAVE MIRROR: A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflection of
light takes place at the concave surface (or bent-in surface).
CONVEX MIRROR: A convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflection of
light takes place at the convex surface (or bulging –out surface).
TERMS RELATED TO SPHERICAL MIRRORS
Centre of Curvature(C): The centre of curvature of a spherical mirror is the centre of the
hollow sphere of glass of which the spherical mirror is a part. It is represented by letter ‘C’.
Pole(P): The pole of a spherical mirror is the centre of the mirror. It is represented by letter
‘P’.
Radius of Curvature(R): The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is the radius of the
hollow sphere of glass of which the spherical is a part. It is represented by the letter ‘R’.
Principal axis: The principal axis of a spherical mirror is the straight line passing through the
centre of curvature C and pole P of the spherical mirror, produced on both sides.
Aperture: The aperture of a spherical mirror is the diameter of the reflecting surface of the
mirror.
PRINCIPAL FOCUS OF A SPHERICAL MIRROR
The principal focus of a concave mirror is a point on its principal axis to which all the
light rays which are parallel and close to the axis, converge after reflection from the
concave mirror. A concave mirror has a real focus. The focus of a concave mirror is in
front of the mirror. Since a concave mirror converges a parallel beams of light rays, it is
also called converging mirror.
The principal focus of a convex mirror is a point on its principal axis from which a
beam of light rays, initially parallel to the axis, appears to diverge after being reflected
from the convex mirror. A convex mirror has a virtual focus. The focus of a convex
mirror is situated behind the mirror. Since a convex mirror diverges a parallel beams of
light rays, it is also called diverging mirror.
Focal Length: The focal length of a spherical mirror is the distance between its pole
and principal focus. It is denoted by the letter ‘f’.
Relation between Radius of curvature and focal length of a spherical mirror
The focal length of a spherical mirror is equal to half of its radius of curvature.
R
f
2
In other words, for spherical mirrors of small apertures, the radius of curvature is
found to be equal to twice the focal length.
R = 2f
RULES FOR OBTAINING IMAGES FORMED BY SHPERICAL MIRRORS
The intersection of at least two reflected rays give the position of image of the point object.
Any two of the following rays can be considered for locating the image.
1. A ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, will pass through the principal focus in
case of a concave mirror or appear to diverge from the principal focus in case of a convex
mirror.
2. A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror or a ray which is directed
towards the principal focus of a convex mirror, after reflection, will emerge parallel to the
principal axis.
3. A ray passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in the
direction of the centre of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is reflected back
along the same path. The light rays come back along the same path because the incident
rays fall on the mirror along the normal to the reflecting surface.
4. A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the mirror), on
the concave mirror or a convex mirror , is reflected obliquely. The incident and reflected
rays follow the laws of reflection at the point of incidence (point P), making equal angles
with the principal axis.
FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONCAVE MIRROR
The type of image formed by a concave mirror depends on the position of object in front
of the mirror. There are six positions of the object:
Case–1: Object is in between P and F
When an object is placed between the pole(P) and focus(F) of a concave mirror, the image
formed is
(i) behind the mirror
(ii) virtual and erect and
(iii) larger than the object (or magnified)
Case–2: Object is at the focus(F).
When an object is placed at the focus of a concave mirror, the image formed is
(i) at infinity
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) highly magnified (or highly enlarged)
Case–3: Object is in between focus(F) and centre of curvature(C)
When an object is placed between the focus(F) and centre of curvature(C) of a
concave mirror, the image formed is
(i) beyond the centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) larger than the object (or magnified)
Case–4: Object is at the centre of curvature(C)
When an object is placed at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, the image
formed is
(i) at the centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) same size as the object
Case–5: Object is beyond the centre of curvature(C)
When an object is placed beyond the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, the
image formed is
(i) between the focus and centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)
Case–6: Object is at infinity.
When an object is placed at infinity of a concave mirror, the image formed is
at the focus and the centre of curvature
(i) between the focus and centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) much smaller than the object (or highly diminished)
USES OF CONCAVE MIRRORS
1. Concave mirrors are commonly used in torches, search-lights and vehicles
headlights to get powerful parallel beams of light.
2. Concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors to see a larger image of the face.
3. The dentists use concave mirrors to see large images of the teeth of patients.
4. Concave mirrors are used as doctor’s head mirrors to focus light coming from a
lamp on to the body parts of a patient to be examined by the doctor.
5. Concave dishes are used in TV dish antennas to receive TV signals from the distant
communications satellite.
6. Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in solar
furnaces.
FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONVEX MIRROR
The type of image formed by a convex mirror depends on the position of object in
front of the mirror. There are six positions of the object:
Case–1: Object is placed between P and infinity
When an object is placed between pole and infinity in front of a convex mirror, the
image formed is
(i) between the pole and focus
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)
Case–2: Object is at infinity.
When an object is placed at infinity of a convex mirror, the image formed is
(i) behind the mirror at focus
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) much smaller than the object (or highly diminished)
USES OF CONVEX MIRRORS
Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view (wing) mirrors in vehicles. These
mirrors are fitted on the sides of the vehicle, enabling the driver to see traffic behind
him/her to facilitate safe driving. Convex mirrors are preferred because they always
give an erect, though diminished, image. Also, they have a wider field of view as they
are curved outwards. Thus, convex mirrors enable the driver to view much larger area
than would be possible with a plane mirror.
INTEXT QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 168
1. Define the principal focus of a concave mirror.
Ans. Light rays that are parallel to the principal axis of a concave mirror converge at a
specific point on its principal axis after reflecting from the mirror. This point is known
as the principal focus of the concave mirror.
2. The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm. What is its focal length?
Ans. Here R = 20 cm
R 20
We know that f f 10cm
2 2
3. Name a mirror that can give an erect and enlarged image of an object.
Ans. When an object is placed between the pole and the principal focus of a concave mirror,
the image formed is virtual, erect, and enlarged.
4. Why do we prefer a convex mirror as a rear-view mirror in vehicles?
Ans. Convex mirrors give a virtual, erect, and diminished image of the objects placed in front
of them. They are preferred as a rear-view mirror in vehicles because they give a wider field
of view, which allows the driver to see most of the traffic behind him.
MIRROR FORMULA
In a spherical mirror, the distance of the object from its pole is called the object distance (u).
The distance of the image from the pole of the mirror is called the image distance (v). The
distance of the principal focus from the pole is called the focal length (f). There is a
relationship between these three quantities given by the mirror formula which is expressed as
1 1 1
f v u
MAGNIFICATION
Magnification produced by a spherical mirror gives the relative extent to which the image of
an object is magnified with respect to the object size. It is expressed as the ratio of the height
of the image to the height of the object. It is usually represented by the letter m. If h1 is the
height of the object and h2 is the height of the image, then the magnification m produced by a
spherical mirror is given by
height of the image height of m h2
m
the object h1
The magnification m is also related to the object distance (u) and image distance (v). It can be
expressed as:
h v
m 2
h1 u
Points to be remembered:
The height of the object is taken to be positive as the object is usually placed above the
principal axis.
The height of the image should be taken as positive for virtual images. However, it is to
be taken as negative for real images.
When the image is real, it is inverted so h2 is negative which results m is –ve. A negative
sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is real.
When the image is virtual, it is erect so h2 is positive which results m is +ve. A positive sign
in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is virtual.
SIGN CONVENTION FOR SPHERICAL MIRRORS
The following sign convention is used for measuring various distances in the ray
diagrams of spherical mirrors:
1. Object is always placed to the left of mirror
2. All distances are measured from the pole of the mirror.
3. Distances measured in the direction of the incident ray are positive and the distances
measured in the direction opposite to that of the incident rays are negative.
4. Distances measured above the principal axis are positive and that measured below the
principal axis are negative.
INTEXT QUESTIONS PAGE NO. 171
1. Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is
32 cm. Ans.
Ans. Here R = 32 cm
R 32
We know that f f 16cm 2
2
Hence, the focal length of the given convex mirror is 16 cm.
2. A concave mirror produces three times magnified (enlarged) real
image of an object placed at 10 cm in front of it. Where is the image located?
Ans. Here, magnification, m = –3, object
distance, u = –10 cm and image
distance, v = ?
Putting these values in the magnification formula for a mirror, we get
v
m 3 v
u
10
v 30cm
NUMERICALS BASED ON CONVEX AND CONCAVE MIRROR
1. Find the focal length of a convex mirror of radius of curvature 1m.
2. Focal length of a convex mirror is 50 cm. What is its radius of curvature?
3. Radius of curvature of a concave mirror is 25 cm. What is its focal length?
4. A concave mirror produces 10 cm long image of an object of height of 2cm. What is the
magnification produced?
5. An object 1 cm high is held near a concave mirror of magnification 10. How tall will be the
image?
6. An object 4 cm in size is placed at a distance of 25 cm from a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm. Find the position, nature and height of the image.
7. A converging mirror forms a real image of height 4 cm, of an object of height 1 cm placed
20 cm away from the mirror. Calculate the image distance. What is the focal length of the
mirror?
8. A 4.5 cm needle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm. Give
the location of the image and the magnification. Describe what happens as the needle is
moved farther from the mirror.
9. An arrow 2.5 cm high is placed at a distance of 25 cm from a diverging mirror of focal
length 20 cm., Find the nature, position and size of the image formed.
10. The image formed by a convex mirror of focal length 20cm is a quarter of the object. What
is the distance of the object from the mirror?
11. Find the size, nature and position of image formed by a concave mirror, when an object of
size 1cm is placed at a distance of 15cm. Given focal length of mirror is 10cm.
12. An object 2cm high is placed at a distance of 16cm from a concave mirror, which produces
3cm high inverted image. What is the focal length of the mirror? Also, find the position of
the image.
13. An erect image 3 times the size of the object is obtained with a concave mirror of radius of
curvature 36cm. What is the position of the object?
14. A 2.5cm candle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 30cm. Give the
location of the image and the magnification.
15. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror of focal length 20cm. The image formed is
3 times the size of the object. Calculate two possible distances of the object from the
mirror.
