REFLECTION OF LIGHT

Definitions:
1. Geometrical Optics : The branch of optics in which one completely neglects the finiteness of the
wavelength of light is called geometrical optics.
2. Light : Light is an electromagnetic wave of wavelength belonging to the visible part of the spectrum that
causes the sensation of sight.
3. Ray of light : A ray of light is defined as the path of energy propagation in the limit of wavelength tending to
zero.
4. Beam of light : A bundle of rays of light constitutes a beam of light.

Sign convention in Ray Optics:

Reflection :
Definition of Reflection Light :
 The phenomenon of bouncing back of light in the same medium on striking the surface of another
medium is called reflection of light.

Laws of Reflection :
(i) The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence. i.e.
.

(ii) The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal to the reflecting
surface at the point of incidence lie in the same plane.
Note. These laws are valid at each point on any reflecting surface whether plane or curved.

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Spherical Mirrors :
 Difference Between concave and convex mirror.
Concave mirror Convex mirror
Reflection from inner surface Reflection from outer surface
Focus is real Focus is virtual
Image are real and inverted except for the condition All the image are virtual and erect irrespective of the
when the object is placed within the focus. position of the object.
Image can be enlarged of the same size or All image are diminished w.r.t the object.
diminished w.r.t the object depending on the
position of the object.

(i) Spherical Mirror : The portion of a reflecting surface, which

forms part of a sphere, is called spherical mirror.

(ii) Pole : The geometric centre of a spherical mirror is called its

pole.

(iii) Centre of Curvature (C): The centre of the sphere, of which of

the spherical mirror forms a part is called the centre of curvature of the mirror.

(iv) Principle axis : The line joining the pole and the centre of curvature of the spherical mirror is known as the
principle axis.

(v) Principle Focus : The point at which, a narrow beam of light incident on the mirror parallel to its principle
axis. After reflection from the mirror, meets or appears to come from, is called the principle focus of the
mirror.

(vi) Radius of Curvature : The radius of the sphere, of which the mirror forms a part, is called radius of
curvature of the mirror.

(vii) Focal length : The distance between the pole and the principle focus of the mirror is called the focal length
of the mirror.

(viii) Focal plane: A plane passing through the focus and normal to the principle axis of mirror is called the focal
plane of the mirror.

(ix) Aperture : The diameter of the mirror is called aperture of the mirror.

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Reflection by spherical Mirrors :
The position of the image formed by spherical mirrors can be found by considering any two of the following rays of
light.

(i) The ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, passes through the principal focus F of a concave
mirror, or appears to pass through the principal focus of a convex mirror.

(ii) A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror, or a ray which is directed towards it (in a
convex mirror), is reflected parallel to the principal axis.

(iii) A ray passing through the centre of curvature (in concave mirror) or directed towards it (in convex mirror)
retraces its path.

Image formation by Spherical Mirrors:

1. Concave Mirror :
Image formation by a concave mirror for different positions of the object

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 Position of the Object Position of the image Size of the lmage Nature of the image
At infinity At the focus F Highly diminished Real and inverted
Beyond the centre of Between F and C Diminished Real and inverted
curvature C
At C At C Same size Real and inverted
Between C and F Beyond C Enlarged Real and inverted
At F At infinity Infinitely large or highly Real and inverted
enlarged
Between the pole P of the Behind the mirror Enlarged Virtual and erect.
mirror and focus F

2. Convex Mirror :

Position of the Object
At infinity
Between infinity and the
pole P of the mirror
Position of the image
At the focus F, behind the
mirror
Between P and F, behind
the mirror
Size of the image Nature of the image
Highly diminished, point- Virtual and erect
sized
Diminished Virtual and erect

Note. In the entire chapter, the rays are assumed to be paraxial i.e. they are incident at points close to the pole P of
the mirror and make small angles with the principal axis.

Derivations :
1. Relation Between Focal Length and radius of curvature of spherical Mirror :
Assumptions : (i) Aperture is very small i.e. MP is a straight line
(ii) θ → very small i.e. si t

(a) Concave Mirror :

AMC = MCF [Alternate interior angles]
AMC = CMF [ i r]
MFP = 2θ [Exterior gle of ∆ MCF]

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 In ∆MPF,

t 2 2θ ……. (i)

In ∆MPC,

t θ ..…… (ii)

Using (ii) in (i)

2( ) 2

→
Or PF i.e. →

(b) Convex Mirror :

LMN NMQ [ i r]
LMN CMF [vertic lly opposite gles]
NMQ MCF [correspo di g gles]
MFP 2θ [Exterior gle ∆MFC]

In ∆MPF, t 2θ 2θ ……… (i)

In ∆MPC, t θ θ ……… (ii)

Using (i) and (ii)

2( )

i.e.,

II. The Mirror equation :

Definition : The relation between the object distance (u), image distance (v) and the focal length (f) of spherical
mirror is called the mirror equation for spherical mirror.

(a) Concave Mirror :

 Image formed is real

∆A’B’F ~ ∆MPF

[ ] …… (i)

∆ABP ~ ∆A’B’P

……. (ii)

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 From (i) and (ii)

Using proper sign conventions :

P v FP f P u

Mirror Equ tio

Concave Mirror (virtual Image):

 Image formed is virtual : ∆ MPF ~ ∆ A’ B’ F

……. (i)

∆ ABC ~ ∆ A’ B’ C

[AP = MP] ……… (ii)

Equating (i) and (ii)

Using proper sign conventions

( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 u

( u) u Mirror Equ tio

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 (b) Convex Mirror :

∆MPF ~ ∆ A’ B’ F

–
………. (i)

∆ABC ~ ∆ A’ B’ C

–
[AB = MP] ………. (ii)

Equating (i) and (ii)

Using proper sign conventions

2 u

2 2 2 (u )

Mirror Equ tio .

Magnification :
Linear magnification (m) is defined as ratio of the height of the image ( ) to the height of the object ( )

Illustration 1. Suppose that the lower half of the concave mirror’s reflecting surface in Fig. is covered with an
opaque (non-reflective) material. What effect will this have on the image of an object placed in front of the mirror?

Solution. You may think that the image will now show only half of the
object, but taking the laws of reflection to be true for all points of the
remaining part of the mirror, the image will be that of the whole object.
However, as the area of the reflecting surface has been reduced, the intensity
of the image will be low (in this case, half)

Illustration 2. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror; as shown in Fig. Show by suitable
diagram, the formation of its image. Explain why the magnification is not uniform. Will the distortion of image
depend on the location of the phone with respect to the mirror?

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Solution. The ray diagram for the formation of the image of the phone
is shown in Fig. The image of the part which is on the plane
perpendicular to principal axis will be on the same plane. It will be of
the same size. i.e., B’C = BC. You can yourself realize why the image
is distorted.

Illustration 3. An object is placed at (i) 10 cm. (ii) 5 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 15 cm.
Find the position, nature, and magnification of the image in each case.

Solution. The focal length 2c c

(i) The object distance c

The image is 30 cm from the mirror on the same side as the object.

( )
Also, magnification ( )

The image is magnified, real and inverted.

(ii) The object distance c .

( )
c

This image is formed at 15 cm behind the mirror. It is a virtual image.

Magnification ( )

The image is magnified, virtual and erect.

Illustration 4. Suppose while sitting in a parked car, you notice a jogger approaching towards you in the side view
mirror of R = 2 m. If the jogger is running at a speed of 5 m s , how fast the image of the jogger appear to move
when the jogger is (a) 39 m, (b) 29 m, (c) 19 m, and (d) 9 m away.

Solution. From the mirror equation.

For convex mirror, since R = 2 m, m.

( )
For m.
–

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Since the jogger moves at a constant speed of 5 m s , 1 s the position of the image ( )
is ( )m.

The shift in the position of image in 1 s is

Therefore, the average speed of the image when the jogger is between 39 m and 34 m from the mirror, is (1/280) m
s .

Similarly, it can be seen that for 2 m, m and – 9 m, the speed with which the image appears to move is

s s and s , respectively.

Alternatively : For finding the instantaneous image speed, we differentiate the mirror formulae with respect to time

( )

* + * s +

Here Image’s speed and Object’s Speed

Illustration 5. A convex mirror used on an automobile has 3m radius of curvature. If a truck is located
5 m from this mirror , find the position , nature of the image and its magnification.

Solution : R ∴ = + m = + 1.5 m

u = - 5 m, =?
According to the mirror formula ,

∴ =

∴ = m

Since is positive , therefore , the image is virtual and erect .

2

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Illustration 6. An object 1 cm high is placed on the axis and 15 cm from a concave mirror of focal
length 10 cm . find the position , nature , magnification and size of the image

Solution : Given m =?
According to mirror formula ,

∴ =-

∴
The negative sign of shows that the image formed is in front of the mirror real and inverted .
According to magnification formula ,

( )
∴ 2
( )

Illustration 7. The image formed by a concave mirror is half in size of the object . If object is placed at
10 cm from the mirror, where is the image formed ?

Solution . Let size of object =

Then , size of image =

The image has to be real and inverted as the mirror is concave and size of image is smaller than size
of object .

But

∴ ∴

It is given that u = - 10 cm .

Therefore , =

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Illustration 8. An object 5 cm high is placed at a distance of 10 cm from a convex mirror of radius of
curvature 30 cm . Find the nature, position and size of the image .

Solution . Given = 5 cm , u = -10 cm , R = + 30 cm

∴ c

According to mirror formula ,

∴ 6c

The positive sign shown that the image formed is virtual and erect and formed behind the mirror ,
According to magnification formula ,

Illustration 9. When an object is placed at a distance of 60 cm from a convex spherical mirror, the
magnification produced is 0.5 Where should the object be placed to get a magnification of

Solution . u = 60 cm , m = 0.5
According to magnification formula ,

∴ - ∴ = 30 cm

According to mirror formula

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∴ = + 60 cm ,

For magnification =

∴ ∴

Again , using mirror formula,

∴

∴ ∴ ∴

∴ u = 120 cm .
EXERCISE (I)

1. At what distance from a convex mirror of focal length 2.5 m should a boy stand so that his image has a
height equal to half the original height? The principle axis is perpendicular to the height.

2. A 2.0 cm high object is placed on the principle axis of a concave mirror at a distance of 12 cm from the pole.
If the image is inverted, real and 5.0 cm high, find the location of the image and the focal length of the
mirror.
3. A ray of light is incident on a convex mirror as shown in Fig. Redraw the figure
often completing the path of light ray after reflection from the mirror.

4. Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.

5. An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm in front of a concave mirror. It forms a real image four times larger
than the object. Calculate the distance of the image from the mirror.

6. Suppose that the lower half of the concave mirror reflecting surface is covered with an opaque (non-
reflective) material. What effect will this have on the image of an object placed in front of the mirror?

7. The magnification for a plane mirror is m = + 1. What does this signify (a) for value 1 (b) for the positive
sign?
8. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror. Show by suitable diagram the formation of
image. Explain why the magnification will not be uniform. Will the distortion of
image depend on the location of phone with respect to the mirror?

9. In Fig. rays 1 and 2 originating from A after reflection meet at A’ Will the rays 3
and 4 originating from A, after reflection pass through A’?

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 NCERT QUESTIONS & ANSWER

Illustration. The earth takes 24 h to rotate once about its axis. How much time does the sun take to shift by when
viewed from the earth?

Solution.
Time taken for 6 shift 2 h
Time taken for shift 2 6 h min.

Illustration. What focal length should the reading spectacles have for a person for whom the least distance of distinct
vision is 50 cm?

Solution. The distance of normal vision is 25 cm. So if a book is at 2 c , its image should be formed at
cm. Therefore, the desired focal length is given by

Or

Or c (convex lens).

Illustration.

(a) The far point of a myopic person is 80 cm in front of the eye. What is the power of the lens required to
enable him to see very distant object clearly?
(b) In what way does the corrective lens help the above person? Does the lens magnify very distant objects?
Explain carefully,
(c) The above person prefers to remove his spectacles while reading a book. Explain why?

Solution.

(a) Solving as in the previous example, we find that the person should use a concave lens of focal length
c , i.e., of power 2 dioptres.
(b) No. The concave lens, in fact, reduces the size of the object, but the angle subtended by the distant object at
eye is the same as the angle subtended by the image (at the far point) at the eye. The eye is able to see distant
objects not because the corrective lens magnifies the object, but because it brings the object (i.e., it produces
virtual image of the object) at the far point of the eye which then can be focussed by the eye-lens on the
retina.
(c) The myopic person may have a normal near point, i.e., about 25 cm (or even less). In order to read a book
with the spectacles, such a person must keep the book at a distance greater than 25 cm so that the image of
the book by the concave lens is produced not closer than 25 cm. The angular size of the book (or its image) at
the greater distance is evidently less than the angular size when the book is placed at 25 cm and no spectacles
are needed. Hence, the person prefers to remove the spectacles while reading.

Illustration. (a) The near point of a hypermetropic person is 75 cm from the eye. What is the power of the lens
required to enable the person to read clearly a book held at 25 cm from the eye? (b) In what way does the corrective
lens help the above person? Does the lens magnify objects held near the eye? (c) The above person prefers to remove
the spectacles while looking at the sky. Explain why?
Solution.

(a) 2 c c
2 c
The corrective lens needs to have a converging power of +2.67 dioptres.
(b) The corrective lens produces a virtual image (at 75 cm) of an object at 25 cm. The angular size of this image
is the same as that of the object. In this sense the lens does not magnify the object but merely brings the
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 object to the near point of the hypermetric eye. Which then gets focused on the retina. However, the angular
size is the greater than that of the same object at the near point (75 cm) viewed without the spectacles.
(c) A hypermetropic eye may have normal far point i.e. it may have enough converging power to focus parallel
rays from infinity on the retina of shortened eyeball. Wearing spectacles of converging lenses (used for near
vision) will amount more converging power than needed for parallel rays. Hence the person prefers not to use
the spectacles for far objects.

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 Reflection of Light
Some Interesting facts about light

1. Light wave is a transverse wave .

2. Light does not need a material medium to travel, i .e . light can travel in vacuum also .
3. In an isotropic medium ( a medium which has the same properties throughout the medium )
light travel in a straight line . A line which shows the direction of propagation of light is
called a ray of light. A bundle of rays is called a beam of light .
4. The speed of light in vacuum is approximately s . In different mediums, the speed
of light is different .

REFLECTION OF LIGHT

The phenomenon of changing the path of light without any change

in the medium is called reflection .

LAWS OF REFLECTION

1. When a ray of light is incident on a mirror, it is reflected from the mirror in such a way
that angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection .
∴ i = r
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence , all lie in the
same plane.
Note:
1. The above laws of reflection are applicable to plane mirrors as well as spherical or
parabolic mirrors .
2. The reflection of light from a smooth surface takes place in a regular fashion and this
reflection is called regular reflection. The reflection of light from a rough, irregular surface takes
place in a random manner and this reflection is called diffused reflection .

Special Case

When the incident ray falls on a mirror at right angles (normal or

perpendicular or at ) the angle of incidence is . Therefore, angle
of reflection is also zero. This means that after reflection the ray moves
in the original path with opposite direction .

SPHERICAL MIRRORS

A spherical mirror is that mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a hollow sphere of glass.
Spherical mirrors are of two types :

1 . Concave Mirror : A spherical mirror which has reflecting surface

towards the centre of a sphere of which the mirror is a part is called
concave mirror. Fig (a)

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2. Convex Mirror : A spherical mirror which has reflecting surface
away from the centre of a sphere, of which the mirror is a part is
called convex mirror. Fig (b)

Some Important Terms Related to Spherical Mirrors

1. Centre of curvature (C) : It is the centre of the sphere of which the mirror surface is a part.
2. Pole (P) : The centre of spherical mirror is called the pole
.
3. Radius of curvature (R) : The radius of the sphere of
which the mirror surface is a part is called the radius of
curvature , PC = R
4. Principal axis : The line joining the pole and the centre of
curvature is called the principal axis of the mirror .
5. Aperture : The aperture is the area of mirror which is
available for reflecting light , MPM’

SIGN CONVENTION FOR SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Measurement along the principal axis (Fig )

The measurement along the principal axis always starts

from P.

(a) From P , if you measures a distance in the direction of

incident ray (towards right in this case) the measurement
is taken as positive .

(b) From P , if you measure a distance opposite to the

direction of incident ray ( towards left in this case) the
measurement is taken as negative

Measurement perpendicular to the principal axis .

(a) The height measured upwards of the principal axis is taken as positive .

(b) The height measured downwards of the principal axis is taken as negative .

F0CUS AND FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONCAVE MIRROR

Focus of a concave mirror is a point on the principal axis to which a beam of light parallel to
the principal axis converges after reflection .

Focal length is the distance between pole (P) and Focus (F)

Note :

1. Focus of a concave mirror is real .

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2. Focus (F) is a point whereas focal length ( ) is a distance.

3. Concave mirror is called a converging mirror because it converges a parallel beam of light
falling on it .

4. Focal length of concave mirror is always negative .

FOCUS AND FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONVEX MIRROR

Focus of a convex mirror is a point on the principal axis from which , a beam of light parallel
to the principal axis after reflection , appears to diverge.

Note 1. Focus of a convex mirror is virtual .

2. Convex mirror is called a diverging mirror .

3. Focal length of convex mirror is always positive .

RELATION BETWEEN RADIUS OF CURVATURE AND

FOCAL LENGTH

Consider a ray AB parallel to principal axis falling on a concave mirror at B. after reflection ,
the ray passes through the focus . The dotted line CB is the normal at point B. Therefore, ABC
is the angle of incidence, and FBC is the angle of reflection, r .

ABC = FBC ( law of reflection )

Also ABC = FCB (alternate interior angles )

∴ FBC = FCB

 FC = FB
Now , if the aperture of the concave mirror is small , then the ray AB will be very close to the
principal axis and point B will be very close to P. Therefore , FB will be approximately equal
to FP.
ie FC = FP
Now , FP + FC = R where R = radius of curvature

∴ FP + FP = R
 2 FP = R

 FP =

 =

THE MIRROR EQUATION OR MIRROR FORMULA

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Let us now establish a mathematical relation between (a) distance ‘u’ of object from pole,
(b) distance ‘ ’ of image from pole and (c) focal length ‘ ‘ of mirror. It is this mathematical
relation which is known as the mirror equation or mirror formula .

(ί) For concave mirror

(a) Real Image . Consider an object AB lying On the principal axis X’X of a concave mirror
Of small aperture . A ‘B is the real this object . Let P ,F and C represent the pole principal focus
and centre of curvature respectively of the concave mirror .According to the new Cartesian sing
convention,

PB ( object distance ) = - u

PB’ ( image distance ) = -

PF ( focal length ) = -

PC ( radius of curvature ) = - 2

∆ ABC and A’ B ‘ C are similar .

But all distances along the principal axis should be measured from the pole of the mirror .

– ( )
∴ or
– ( )

∴ ----(1)

Since the aperture of the mirror is small therefore MP can be regarded as a straight line . ∆s
MPF and A ‘B ‘ C ‘ are similar .

∴ or

Or or ----(2)
( )

From equation (1) and (2),

or u - 2 – u +2f =2f –

uv- –u = 0 or u = +u

Dividing by u , we get or

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(i) For convex mirror

Co sider object lyi g o the pri cip l xis X’X of co vex irror of s ll
perture ’ ’ is the virtual image of the object .

According to the sign convention ,

PB = u PB’ = v

PF = , PC = 2

∆s ABC and A’B’C are similar .

∴ =
But all distances along the principal axis should be measured from the pole of mirror .

∴ = or =
’

Since the aperture of the mirror is small therefore MP can be regarded as a straight line
∆s MPF and A’B’F are similar .

∴ or =

From (i) and (ii) =

2f 2fv – uf uv 2f vf or – fv uf uv or uv fv fu

Dividing by uvf we get f u v

LINEAR MAGNIFICATION

Linear magnification ( or simply , magnification ) produced by a spherical mirror is the ratio of

the size of the image formed by the mirror and the size of the object .

(i) Concave mirror - The formation of image by a concave mirror is shown in fig .

∆ ABP and A’B’P are similar.

∴ =

∴ = or = -

Magnification ,

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This formula has been derived for a concave mirror forming a real image . proceeding in the same
way , we can arrive at the above formula for a concave mirror forming a virtual image .

(ii) Convex Mirror – The formation of image by a convex mirror is shown in fig .

∆ ABP and A’B’P are similar.

∴ = or =

∴ Magnification ,

Let us now express in terms of

Now ,

or or

or - or

or

Let us now express m in terms of

Again

or or 1+ or

 When positive, the image is erect (virtual).

 When negative, the image is real (inverted).
 For enlarged image ,
 For diminished image ,

or

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Alternatively : For finding the instantaneous image speed , we differentiate the mirror formula
with respect to time

( )

[ ] [∴ = ]

Here I ge’ s speed d object’s speed

1. A ray of light is incident mirror on a convex mirror as shown in the Redraw the figure
often completing the path of light ray after reflection from the mirror .

2.Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm .

3. An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm in front of a concave mirror . It forms a real
image four times . larger than the object .Calculate the distance of the image from the mirror .
4. The magnification for a plane mirror m = +1 . What does this signify (a) for value 1 ( b)
for the positive sign .
5. Suppose that the lower half of the concave mirror reflecting surface is covered with an
opaque ( non-reflective ) material . What effect will this have on the image of an object placed
in front of the mirror .
6. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror. Show by suitable diagram
the formation of image . Explain why the magnification will not be uniform . will the
distortion of image depend on the location of phone with respect to the mirror ?
7. In rays d 2 origi ti g fro fter reflectio eet t ’ will the r ys d
origi ti g fro fter reflectio p ss through ’

8. An object 6 cm in size is placed at a 20 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 12

cm . At what distance should a screen be placed from the mirror in order to obtain a sharp
image ? Find the nature and size of the image .
9. An object 2 cm high is placed at a distance of 16 cm from a concave mirror which produces
a real image 3 cm high .
(a) What is the focal length of the mirror ?
(b) Find the position of the image .
10.A concave mirror produces there times magnified real image of an object placed at 10 cm
in front of it where is the image located ?
11. A small can 2.5 cm in size is placed 27 cm in front of concave mirror of radius of
curvature 36 cm . At what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed in order to
receive a sharp image ? If the candle is moved closer to the mirror , how would the screen
have to be moved ?
12. An object is placed at (i) 10 cm (ii) 5 cm is front of a concave mirror of radius of
curvature 15 cm . Find the position, nature and magnification of the image in each case .

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 EXERCISE

1. Fill in the blanks:

i. An object which emits its own light is called _______object.

ii. An incident ray makes an angle of 37 with the plane mirror, the angle of reflection is _________.

iii. A ray of light parallel to the principal axis after reflection from a concave mirror passes through____.

iv. A ray of light parallel to the principal axis after reflection from a convex mirror appears to be coming
from_______.

v. The focal length of concave mirror is ______. And that of convex mirror is ______. (positive,
negative)

vi. A ray of light passing through the focus of concave mirror after reflection from the mirror
becomes________.

vii. A ray of light directed towards the focus of the convex mirror becomes_______.

viii. A ray of light passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror after reflection from a
concave mirror is _______.

ix. A ray of light directed towards the centre of curvature of convex mirror after reflection from the
mirror_______.

x. If m has a positive value, the image is _______.

xi. If m has a negative value, the image is ________.

xii. If m < 1, size of images is _______. Than the size of the object.

xiii. The magnification of a plane mirror is _______.

xiv. The mirror which always forms a virtual image is ________.

xv. The mirror which has wider field of view is _________.

xvi. To obtain an enlarged and virtual image of an object,_______ mirror should be used.

xvii. A concave mirror forms an image of a distant object on a screen. The distance between the screen and
the mirror is _______.

xviii. A concave mirror forms an image of a distant object on a screen. The distance between the screen and
the mirror is _______.
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 xix. Convex mirror is a ________ mirror, whereas a concave mirror is a ________ mirror. (converging,
diverging)

2. True (T) or false (F):

a. Light can travel in vacuum.

b. Speed of light is same in all media.

c. A highly polished surface is a good reflector of light.

d. A transparent medium is good transmitter of light.

e. A virtual image is one which is formed by the actual intersection of rays and can be obtained on a
screen.
f. The focus of concave mirror is virtual and convex mirror is real.

g. The radius of curvature and focal length are related as R = 2

h. If the value of v is positive, then the image is formed behind the mirror and is virtual and erect.

i. If the value of v is negative, then the image is formed in front of the mirror and is real and inverted.

j. If m > 1, size of image is greater than the size of object.

k. When a concave mirror is placed in water, its focal length changes.

3. A ray of light is incident on a convex mirror as shown in the Fig., Redraw the figure often completing the
path of light ray after reflection from the mirror.

4. Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.

5. An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm in front of a concave mirror. It forms a real image four times
larger than the object. Calculate the distance of the image from the mirror.

6. The magnification for a plane mirror is . What does this signify (a) for value 1 (b) for the positive
sign?
7. Suppose that the lower half of the concave mirror reflecting surface is covered with an opaque (non-
reflective) material. What effect will this have on the image of an object placed in front of the mirror?

8. A mobile phone lies along the principal axis of a concave mirror. Show by suitable diagram the formation
of image depend on the location of phone with respect to the mirror?

9. In Fig., rays 1 and 2 originating from A after reflection meet at . Will the rays 3 and 4 originating from
A, after reflection pass through ?

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 EXERCISE
ANSWER
1. Fill in the blanks:
i. Luminous

ii. 53

iii. Focus

iv. Focus

v. Negative, Positive

vi. Parallel to the principal axis

vii. Parallel to the principal axis

viii. Reflected back to its own path

ix. Retraces its own path

x. Virtual and erect

xi. Real and inverted

xii. Smaller

xiii. +1

xiv. Convex mirror or plane mirror

xv. Convex mirror

xvi. Concave

xvii. 30 cm

xviii. Focal length

xix. Diverging, converging.

2. True (T) or False (F)

(a) F (b) F (c) T (d) T (e) F (f) F (g) F (h) T (i) T (j) T (k) F

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3. See Fig.,

4. 6

5. Given 2 (minus sign because the image is real and inverted),

∴ ( 2)

6. (a) m = 1 means that the height of the image is equal to the height of the object.
(b) The positive sign of m shows that the image is virtual and erect.

7. Complete image of the object will be formed when the rays get reflected back from upper half of the
mirror. The image formed will be of lower intensity as compared to the one formed when the complete
mirror’s reflecting surface was available. This is because now the rays won’t reflecting surface was
available. This is because now the rays won’t reflect from the lower half and therefore, their contribution
to the image formation is missing.

8. The ray diagram for image formation of the mobile phone is drawn. We can imagine the mobile phone to
be made up of a number of pieces each placed perpendicular to the principal axis. One such piece is BC.
As the piece is placed at C, we get an inverted image at C of the same size as shown in the Fig., by B’ C.
now the other pieces are located between C and F. We know that as the object is brought closer to the
mirror from C to F, the image moves away from the mirror, remains real and inverted, and increases in
size. Thus the magnification is not uniform and the image is distorted.

9. Yes. This is in accordance with the laws of reflection.

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 SUMMARY OF REFLECTION OF LIGHT CONCEPT CLASESS (XII) PHYSICS

1. Laws of reflection
(a) Angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection.
(b) The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
2. A real image is formed by the actual intersection of rays (reflected or refracted) of a light at a point. This
image can be seen if a screen is placed at that point. A virtual image is formed at a point where the
reflected (or refracted) light rays appear to diverge. A virtual image cannot be projected on a screen.
3. A plane mirror forms a virtual image of an object such that.
(a) height of image = height of object
(b) the distance of image from the mirror is equal to the distance of the object from the mirror.
4. A spherical mirror is the mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a hollow sphere of glass. A spherical
mirror which has reflecting surface towards the centre of sphere, of which the mirror is a part, is called a
concave mirror. A spherical mirror which has reflecting surface away from the centre of sphere, of which
the mirror is a part, is called a convex mirror.
5. Focus a concave mirror is a point on the principal axis from which a beam of light parallel to principal axis
after reflection converges. Focus of a convex mirror is a point on the principal axis from which a beam of
light parallel to principal axis after reflection appears to diverge.
6. for spherical mirrors.
7. Concave mirrors are used by ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doctors, and in shaving mirrors.
8. is the mirror formula.

is the linear magnification formula.

9. Convex mirrors are used as reflector in street-lights and as rear-view mirror in automobiles.
10. (a) u is always negative.
(b) f, R is negative for concave mirror and positive for convex mirror.
(c) v is always negative in case of concave mirror except when the object is placed between pole and
focus and image is formed behind the mirror. v is always positive for convex mirror.
(d) is always positive.
(e) is positive only in one case of concave mirror when the image is formed behind the mirror and
negative in rest of the cases. is always positive for convex mirror.

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