LIGHT-REFLECTION

Light:
Light is a form of energy which enables us to see things around us. During the day,
the sunlight helps us to see objects. An object reflects light that falls on it. This
reflected light, when received by our eyes, enables us to see things. We are able to
see through a transparent medium as light is transmitted through it. However, we
are unable to see anything in a dark room. On lighting up the room, things become
visible. By observing the common optical phenomena around us, we may conclude
that light seems to travel in straight lines. The fact that a small source of light casts

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a sharp shadow of an opaque object points to this straight-line path of light, usually

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indicated as a ray of light.

Reflection of light:
Reflection of light is the phenomenon of bouncing back of light upon striking a

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reflecting surface like a mirror(highly polished one surface and the other surface is
painted/blocked)

Laws of Reflection of light:

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(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
(ii) The incident ray, the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence and the
reflected ray, all lie in the same plane.
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Note: These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces
including spherical

Real and Virtual Images:

Real images are those which can be obtained on a screen. They are always
inverted. They are formed when light rays coming from the object actually meet
.eg movie images on cinema hall screen
Virtual images are those which cannot be obtained on a screen. They are always
erect. They are formed when light rays coming from the object do not meet
actually but appear to be meet eg. image seen in plane mirror .
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Plane Mirror-Characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror:
(a) virtual,
(b) erect,
(c) of same size as that of object.
(d) the distance between mirror and object = distance between mirror and image.
(e) laterally inverted. (Lateral Inversion- if the left side of the object appears as the
right and the right side of the object appears as the left after reflection from a
mirror )

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Spherical Mirror: The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror may be curved
inwards or
outwards. A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surface is curved inwards, ie. it
faces towards the centre of the sphere, is called a concave mirror. A spherical

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mirror whose reflecting surface is curved outwards, is called a convex mirror.
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Terms related to Spherical mirrors:
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Pole (P)- The centre of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is a point called
the pole. It lies on the surface of the mirror.

Center of Curvature(C): The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms a part

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of a sphere. This sphere has a centre. This point is called the centre of curvature of
the spherical mirror. (Note- centre of curvature is not a part of the mirror. It lies
outside its reflecting surface. The centre of curvature of a concave mirror lies in
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front of it. However, it lies behind the mirror in case of a convex mirror.)

Radius of Curvature(R): The radius of the sphere of which the reflecting surface
of a spherical mirror forms a part, is called the radius of curvature of the mirror.
The distance PC is equal to the radius of curvature.

Principal Axis : A straight line passing through the pole and the centre of
curvature of a spherical mirror. This line is called the principal axis. Principal axis
is normal to the mirror at its pole.

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Focus of a concave mirror (F): Light rays parallel principal axis after reflection
from concave mirror, meet at point on the principal axis called the focus
Note: Since the light rays actually meet after reflection in this case so the concave
mirror is also called as a converging mirror and this point lies in front of the mirror
so is real focus.

Focus of a convex mirror (F): Light rays parallel principal axis after reflection
from convex mirror, appear to be coming from a point on the principal axis called
the focus.

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Note: Since the light rays spread out after reflection and appear to be coming from

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a point on the principal axis so in this case convex mirror is also called as a
diverging mirror and since this point lies behind of the mirror so is virtual focus.

Focal length(f): The distance between the pole and the principal focus of a

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spherical mirror is called the focal length. SI unit is”m”

Aperture :The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is by and large spherical.

The surface, then, has a circular outline. The diameter of the reflecting surface of
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spherical mirror is called its aperture. (Here MN represents the aperture).

Relationship between the radius of curvature R, and focal length f, of a

spherical mirror: For spherical mirrors of small apertures, the radius of curvature
is found to be equal to twice the focal length. ie R= 2f. This implies that the
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principal focus of a spherical

mirror lies midway between the pole and centre of curvature.
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Concave Mirror Convex Mirror

Rules to draw ray diagrams :

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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.

(i) 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.

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(ii) 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

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emerge parallel to the principal axis.
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(iii) 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
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because the incident rays fall on the mirror along the normal to the reflecting
surface.
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(iv) A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the
mirror),

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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

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Image formation by a concave mirror for different positions of the object:

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Uses of concave mirror:
1. It acts as a heat and light concentrator, as all heat and light rays coming parallel
to principal axis converge/ concentrate at “F” { refer to ray diagram (a)}
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2. It acts as a shaving mirror or make up mirror or dentist’s mirror. When our face
(object) is kept within “f” then its image formed is erect and enlarged { refer to ray
diagram (f)}
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3. It is used in torches, search-lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful

parallel beams of light.{ refer to ray diagram (e)}

Image formation by a convex mirror for different positions of the object:

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Use of Convex Mirror :
1. 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

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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

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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.

New Cartesian Sign Convention:

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The conventions are as follows –
(i) The object is always placed to the left of the mirror. This implies that the light
from the object falls on the mirror from the left-hand side.
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(ii) All distances parallel to the principal axis are measured from the pole of the
mirror.
(iii) All the distances measured to the right of the origin (along + x-axis) are taken
as positive while those measured to the left of the origin (along – x-axis) are taken
as negative.
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(iv) Distances measured perpendicular to and above the principal axis (along + y-
axis) are taken as positive.
(v) Distances measured perpendicular to and below the principal axis (along –y-
axis) are taken as negative.
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Formulae to solve numerical:

1. Mirror formula

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2. Linear Magnification:

Also

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Thus

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