Unit 4 Light

Luminous Objects
Luminous objects are objects that give out light on its own.
Examples
Sun, the star, firesemit. fireflies glow-worms.
We get to see luminous objects because thier light enters our eyes directly.

Non-Luminous Objects
Non-luminous objects are objects that do not give out light on its own.
Examples
Moon, Tree, table, pen etc
We get to see non-luminous objects because light is reflected from them and into our eyes.

Beam of light
A ray of light or light rays are the direction along which the light energy travels.
A beam of light is a collection of rays.

A search light emits a Light from a lamp travels in A convex lens produces a
parallel beam of light (Fig: all directions which is a convergent beam of light,
a). divergent beam. (Fig: b). when a parallel beam falls on
it (Fig: c).

Demonstration that light travels in a straight line

Step 1 The three cardboards with holes at the centers are aligned as shown in the above figure.
Step 2 A candle which has a flame of the same height as the holes is viewed from beyond card C as shown
in diagram.
Step 3 Displace any one of the cardboards from the original setting.
Step 4 Realign the cardboards in a straight line and view through the cardboard at C.
Grade 9 notes on Unit 4 – Light by Deepa
Common example that shows light travels in a straight line is the formation of shadows.

Reflection
When a light ray is obstructed by any solid surface
it will reflect back from the surface, as it cannot
pass through the surface.

The laws of reflection of light

1. The angle of incidence (i) is equal to the angle of
reflection (r)
2. The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal to
the surface at the point of incidence all lie in the
same plane.

Types of reflections

Regular reflection Diffuse reflection

Light reflects from a smooth surface at the same

angle as it hits the surface. For a smooth surface,
reflected light rays travel in the same direction. For a rough surface, reflected light rays scatter in all
This is called specular reflection. directions. This is called diffuse reflection.

State the characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.

(i) Plane mirror forms an upright image.

(ii) It forms a virtual image.
(iii) Size of the image is same as that of the object.
(iv) Image is formed at the same distance behind the mirror as the object stands in front of it.
(v) Image formed is a laterally inverted image i.e., right hand side of the object seems to be the left hand side
and vice-versa.

Uses of reflection of light

1. Periscopes
2. Car rear view mirrors
3. Mirrors are use by dentist.
4. Mirrored balls hanging from the ceiling are used in discotheques.
5. Periscopes use mirrors.
6. Auto mechanics use mirrors held on rods so they can examine unreachable places.
7. Mirrors are used in barbershops and in beauty parlours.
8. As the dials of voltmeters or similar analogue measuring devices.
Grade 9 notes on Unit 4 – Light by Deepa
 9. To collect sunlight for solar power generation.
Refraction

Refraction is the bending of a wave when it enters a

medium where its speed is different. 
Or
Refraction is the bending of a light ray at the boundary of
two medium as the light ray propagates from a medium
to another with difference optical density.

Laws of refraction of light

 The incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.
 The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence ‘i’ to the sine of the angle of refraction ‘r’ is always
equal to a constant i.e., Sin i/Sin r =constant = n.
This ratio is called refractive index.
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Bending of light at an interface
a. If light travels from a less dense b. If light travels from a more dense
material to a more dense material material to a less dense material the
the light will bend towards the light will bend away from the
normal. normal.

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Refraction of light at a glass block

When the ray moves from air to glass the ray At normal incidence ( incident angle is zero)
bends towards the normal. When the ray there is no refraction of the light.

Grade 9 notes on Unit 4 – Light by Deepa

 moves from glass to air it bends away from
the normal.
EFFECTS OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

1. A swimming pool always looks

shallower than it really is, because the light
coming from the bottom of the pool bends
when it comes out at the surface due to
refraction of light.

2. A straight stick which is immersed

partly in water always looks to be bent at the
surface of water, because the light coming
from the stick bends when it comes out at the
surface due to refraction of light.

3. A coin or stone lying at the bottom of

a container filled with water appears to be
raised because of refraction of light.

4. A line or a spot of ink on a paper

always appears to be raised when viewed
through the glass slab due to the refraction of
light.

5. Twinkling of stars is due to the

refraction of light.

6. Optical illusions such as mirage and

looming are also produced due to refraction
of light.
7.

Grade 9 notes on Unit 4 – Light by Deepa

Grade 9 notes on Unit 4 – Light by Deepa