CHAPTER 16 :LIGHT CLASS VIII

Q 1 ) What makes things visible?

ANS ) We can see the world through our eyes or our sense of
sight. However, we cannot see anything without the light,
that is, in darkness. When light falls upon or is emitted by an
object our eyes detect that light and hence the object
becomes visible to us.
Q 2) What happens when light falls on a mirror?
ANS
• Light is a form of energy which is responsible for the
sense of sight in the human eyes. Light can be called as a
radiation that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by
different objects.
• A mirror is a glass having a shiny surface. When light
falls on a mirror it is reflected back. Hence a mirror
changes the direction of light that falls upon it.

Light falling on a mirror

 Q 3 ) Define REFLECTION OF LIGHT ?
ANS ) The bouncing back of light after striking the surface of
an object.
Q 4) What are the two types of reflection ? Differentiate
between them ?
ANS ) The two types of Reflection are :
1 ) Regular or Smooth Reflection
2) Irregular or Diffused Reflection.

Regular Reflection Diffused Reflection

When parallel rays of light fall on a When parallel rays of light fall upon an
smooth surface, they are reflected irregular surface, they are reflected
back as parallel rays only. This is back into all the directions. This is
called regular reflection. called diffused reflection.
It is also called smooth reflection. It is also called irregular reflection.
It leads to the formation of an It enables us to view different objects
image. present in our environment.
For example, the image formed by For example, the reflection of rays of
a plane mirror. light through a wall
Q 5 ) Define the following :
1) Incident Ray
The ray of light falling on the surface of a mirror is called
incident ray.
2. Point of incidence
The point at which the incident ray strikes the mirror surface
is called as point of incidence.
3. Reflected ray
The ray of light which bounces back by the mirror from the
point of incidence is called as reflected ray.
4. Normal ray
A line perpendicular or at right angle to the mirror surface at
the point of incidence is called normal. It lies between the
incident ray and the reflected ray.
5. Angle of incidence
The angle made by the incident ray with the normal is called
as angle of incidence. It is denoted by ‘∠i’.
6. Angle of reflection
The angle made by the reflected ray with the normal at point
of incidence is called as angle of reflection. It is denoted by
‘∠r’.
Q 6) State the laws of Reflection of light ?
ANS )
i) The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal ray at
the point of incidence, lie in the same plane.
(ii) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Q 7) What are the Characteristics of the image formed by a
Plane mirror ?
ANS ) Characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror :
(i) The image formed is virtual and erect.
(ii) The image is of the same size as that of the object.
(iii) The image is laterally inverted. Right side appear to be
left and left side appears to be right.
(iv) The image formed is as far behind the mirror as the
object is in front of it.
Q 8) Draw a neat diagram to show image formed by a Plane
mirror ?
ANS ) Image formation in a plane mirror

o The object is placed at A.

o The object could emit many rays of light, which are
the incident rays. Now let us assume A-O1 and A-O2 are
2 incident rays.
o O1-N1 and O2-N2 are the normals at the point O1 and
O2 for the incident rays.
o Draw the reflected rays (according to the laws of
reflection) O1-B1 and O2-B2.
o Extend the reflected rays behind the surface of the
mirror.
o The point at which they meet I, is the point a which
the image of Object A is formed.
o Note that the distance from the object to the mirror is
the same as the distance of the image to the mirror.
Q 9) How can Multiple reflection obtained? Give some
examples ?
ANS ) Multiple reflections can be obtained by placing
more than one mirrors at certain angles to each other
which results in reflection of light for multiple times
between the reflecting surfaces. This phenomenon is
used :
1. In a Periscope to see hidden objects
2. In a kaleidoscope to see beautiful patterns
3. In a barbershop to see the back of the head of a person
getting a haircut
Q 10) What is a Periscope? Explain
 ANS )
• A Periscope is an instrument that is used to look at
objects that are not in the line of sight of the observer.
• In other words, it is used to see objects that are hidden.
• The Periscope works on the phenomena of multiple
reflections of light.
• Inside the periscope, there are two mirrors that are
inclined at an angle of 45°
• Periscopes are generally used in submarines, tanks and
bunkers by the soldiers.

Q 11) Why multiple images are formed when two plane

mirrors are kept inclined at an angle ?
ANS ) When 2 plane mirrors are kept inclined at an angle,
they form multiple images of the object.This is because the
image of object formed in one plane mirror acts as object for
the other plane mirror.
NOTE- To Calculate the total number of images of an
object formed in a plane mirror
Number of images formed by object in plane mirrors is given
360
by n= 𝜃𝜃
–1

Where θ = Angle between two plane mirrors

Q 12 ) How many images are formed when two plane mirrors
are kept at 90° ?
ANS
Number of images formed by object plane mirrors is given
360
by n= 𝜃𝜃
–1

360
n= –1
90

n = 4-1 =3
hence 3 images are formed .
Q 13 ) How many images are formed when two plane
mirrors are kept at
(i) 30° ( ii ) 180 ° ( iii) 45 ° (iv) 60°
TRY YOURSELF
Q 14) Explain the PRINCIPLE ,CONSTRUCTION AND
WORKING OF a Kaleidoscope?
ANS ) PRINCIPLE : It is a device that works on the Principle
of multiple reflections .
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING

A kaleidoscope is composed of a hollow tube. Three mirrors

are placed in the form of a triangular tube and their
reflecting surfaces face each other. One end of the tube is
covered with a transparent sheet and another end is covered
with an opaque sheet. There is an eyehole in the opaque
sheet. Bits of glass are filled inside the tube. When a
kaleidoscope is turned, we get to see various patterns in it.
These patterns are formed because of multiple reflections.
Q 15 ) What is 'white light'?
Ans: Sunlight is a mixture of light of several colours. It is
known as white light
Q 16) What is dispersion? Give eg
Ans: The splitting up of white light into its constituent
colours on passing through a glass prism. is called dispersion.
Examples of dispersion of light:
• Formation of rainbow due to the dispersion of white
light through the water droplets.
• Passing of Sunlight through a prism
• Dispersion of light through the soap Bubbles
• Dispersion of light on the CDs
Q 17 ) Define Spectrum of light ?
ANS ) The white light consists of seven colours
namely VIBGYOR (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow,
orange and red).
This arrangement of seven colours of a white light is
called as Spectrum.
Q 18 ) Explain the structure and function of human eye?
ANS )

• Sclera: It is the outer covering, a protective tough white

layer called the sclera (white part of the eye).
• Cornea: The front transparent part of the sclera is called
cornea. Light enters the eye through the cornea.
• Iris: A dark muscular tissue and ring-like structure
behind the cornea are known as the iris. The colour of
the iris actually indicates the colour of the eye..
• Pupil: A small opening in the iris is known as a pupil. Its
size is controlled by the help of iris. It controls the
amount of light that enters the eye.
• Lens: Behind the pupil, there is a transparent structure
called a lens. By the action of ciliary muscles, it changes
its shape to focus light on the retina. It becomes thinner
 to focus distant objects and becomes thicker to focus
nearby objects.
• Retina: It is a light-sensitive layer that consists of
numerous nerve cells. It converts images formed by the
lens into electrical impulses. These electrical impulses
are then transmitted to the brain through optic nerve.
Cones: Cones are the nerve cells that are more sensitive to
bright light. Cones sense colour.
Rods: Rods are the nerve cells that are more sensitive to dim
light

Q 19 ) What is blind spot ?

ANS ) Blind spot - There is a point in the eye located at the
junction of the retina and the optic nerve where no sensory
cells are present. This spot is therefore called the blind spot
as it does not support any vision.
Q 20) How does the eye adjust itself to deal with light of
varying intensity?
ANS ) The amount of light entering the eye is controlled by
the pupil. If the intensity of the outside light is low, then the
pupil expands to allow more light to enter the eye. If the
outside intensity is high, then the pupil contracts so that less
light enters the eye.
Q 21 )What is meant by 'persistence of vision?
ANS ) The ability of the human eye to continue to see the
image of an object for a very short duration even after the
removal of that object is called persistence of vision. Infact
the sensation produced by the image of an object lasts for
nearly 1/ 16th of a second on retina.
Q 22 ) We are able to see movie picture in a cinema hall
.How does this happen ?
It is due to persistence of vision that we are able to see
movie pictures in a cinema hall.
The still pictures taken by a movie camera are projected on
the screen at a rate of about 24 pictures per second. Under
these conditions, the image of one picture persists on the
retina till the image of next picture falls on the screen and
so on.
Due to this, the slightly different images of the successive
pictures present on the film merge smoothly into one
another and give us the feeling of moving images. Thus the
principle of persistence of vision is made use of, in the
motion picture projection in cinematography.
Q 23) Define “least distance of distinct vision”.
ANS ) The smallest distance, at which the eye can see
objects clearly without strain, is called the near point or the
least distance of distinct vision. For a young adult with
normal vision, it is about 25cm.
Q 24 ) Name and explain briefly some defects of vision ?
ANS ) Some of the vision defects of vision are as follows:
Myopia: A person suffering from myopia finds it difficult to
see a distant object. This disease is also called short
sightedness or near sightedness. Spectacles with suitable
lenses can improve the vision in a myopic person.
Hypermetropia: A person suffering from hypermetropia
finds it difficult to see a nearby object. This disease is also
called long sightedness. Spectacles with suitable lenses can
improve the vision in a hypermetropic person.
Cataract: The eye lens becomes cloudy in a cataract patient
and thus the person cannot see clearly. Cataract is treated
by surgery. In cataract surgery, the opaque lens is removed
and an artificial lens is transplanted in the eye.
Q 24 ) Explain how you can take care of your eyes ?
• ANS ) Wash your eyes with clean cold water.
• Do not use too bright or too dim light while reading or
doing work. Dim light can cause eye strain and
headaches. Too bright light can injure the retina.
• Avoid reading in a moving vehicle.
• Never rub your eyes if something gets inside. You
should wash your eyes with clean cold water.
 • Self-treatment could be dangerous to the eyes. You
must consult a doctor in case of any injury to the eyes.
• Good nutrition is very important for both your general
and eye health. Good nutrition keeps the eye in good
condition.
Eat food items rich in vitamin A like raw carrots, broccoli,
green vegetables ,papaya ,cod liver oil ,curd cheese,butter
,milk and eggs.