REFLECTION OF LIGHT

CLASS-X

LIGHT: DEFINITION

Light is a form of energy that enables us to see things. Light starts from a source and bounces off
objects which are perceived by our eyes and our brain processes this signal, which eventually
enables us to see.

LIGHT INCIDENT ON ANOTHER MEDIUM

When light travels from one medium to another medium it either:

 gets absorbed (absorption)
 bounces back (reflection)
 passes through or bends (refraction)

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIGHT

1) Speed of light c = λ × μ, where λ is its wavelength and μ is its frequency.

2) Speed of light is a constant which is 2.998 × 108m/s or approximately 3.0 × 108m/s.
3) Light is an electromagnetic wave.
4) Light travels in a straight line.
5) Light is a transverse wave, and does not need any medium to travel. Light can travel through
vaccum. Its speed through vaccum is 3 × 108 m/s.
6) The velocity of light changes when it travels from one medium to another.
7) The wavelength of light changes when it goes from one medium to another.
8) The frequency (f) of the light wave remains the same in all media.
9) Light gets reflected back from polished surfaces, such as mirrors, polished metal surfaces, etc.
10) Light undergoes refraction (bending) when it travels from one transparent medium to another.
11) Light does not need a material medium to travel, that is, it can travel through a vacuum
too. Scientists have assigned a value of 299, 792, 458 m/s to the speed of light in vacuum.
12) According to current scientific theories, no material particle can travel at a speed greater than
that of light in vacuum.

THEORIES ABOUT NATURE OF LIGHT :

Particle nature of light (Newton's corpuscular theory) :

According to Newton light travels in space with a great speed as a stream of very small particles
called corpuscles.
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This theory was failed to explain interference of light and diffraction of light. So wave theory of
light was discovered.

Wave nature of light :

Light waves are electromagnetic waves so there is no need of medium for the propagation. of these
waves. They can travel in vacuum also. The speed of these waves in air or in vacuum is maximum
i.e., 3 × 108 m/s.
Photoelectric effect was not explained with the help of wave theory, so Plank gave a new theory
which was known as quantum theory of light.

Quantum theory of light :

When light falls on the surface of metals like caesium, potassium etc., electrons are given out.
These electrons are called 'photo- electrons' and phenomenon is called 'photo- electric effect'.
This was explained by Einstein. According to plank light consisted of packets or quanta's of energy
called photons. The rest mass of photon is zero.

What is Reflection of Light?

Reflection of Light is the phenomenon of change in direction of light at an interface between two
media so that it returns to the medium from where it originated. In simple words, it is the bouncing
back of light from a surface.

DEFINITION OF SOME ASSOCIATED TERMS :

◆ Reflecting surface :
The surface from which the light is reflected, is called the reflecting surface. In diagram, XY is
the reflecting surface.
◆ Point of incidence :
The point on the reflecting surface at which a ray of light strikes, is called the point of incidence.
In diagram, O is the point of incidence.
◆ Normal :
A perpendicular drawn on the reflecting surface at the point of incidence, is called the normal. In
diagram, ON is the normal.
◆ Incident ray :
The ray of light which strikes the reflecting surface at the point of incidence is called the incident
ray. In diagram, PO is the incident ray.
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◆ Reflected ray :
The ray of light reflected from the reflecting surface from the point of incidence, is called the
reflected ray. In diagram, OQ is the reflected ray.
◆ Angle of incidence :
The angle that the incident ray makes with the normal, is called the angle of incidence. It is
represented by the symbol i. In diagram, angle PON is the angle of incidence.
◆ Angle of reflection :
The angle that the reflected ray makes with the normal, is called the angle of reflection. It is
represented by the symbol r. In diagram, angle QON is the angle of reflection.
◆ Plane of incidence :
The plane in which the normal and the incident ray lie, is called the plane of incidence. In
diagram, the plane of the bookpage, is the plane of incidence.
◆ Plane of reflection :
The plane in which the normal and the reflected ray lie, is called the plane of reflection. In
diagram, the plane of the book page, is the plane of reflection.

TYPES OF REFLECTION:
Depending upon the type of the surface, reflection can be classified as:
1. Specular reflection or regular reflection
2. Diffused reflection or scattered or irregular 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.
Regular reflection is useful in the formation of images, e.g., we can see our face in a mirror only
on account of regular reflection. However, it causes a very strong glare in our eyes.

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.
Irregular reflection helps in spreading light energy over a vast region and also decreases its
intensity. Thus, it helps in the general illumination of places and helps us to see things around us.

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LAWS OF REFLECTION OF LIGHT

Before going into depth, Let us get acquainted with the terminologies:
1. The ray of light falling on the surface is termed as Incident ray.
2. The ray getting reflected or bounced off the surface is the Reflected Ray.
3. An imaginary perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence is termed as the Normal
to the surface.
4. The angle between the normal and the incident ray is called the angle of Incidence.
5. Similarly, the Angle of Reflection is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

Reflection of light is goverened by the famous laws of reflection. 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.

FERMAT'S THEOREM

1) The principle of least time: Light always takes the quickest path between any two points (which
may not be the shortest path).
2) Rectilinear propagation of light and the law of reflection [angle i = angle r] can be validated by
Fermat's principle of least time.

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.
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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 Virtual Image

1. A real image is formed when two or more 1. A virtual image is formed when two or
reflected rays meet at a point in front of more rays appear to
the be coming from a point
mirror. behind the mirror.

2. A real image can be obtained on a 2. A virtual image cannot be obtained on a

screen. screen.
3. A real image is inverted 3. A virtual image is erect
with respect to the object. with respect to the object.

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.

CHARACTERISTICS OF IMAGES FORMED BY PLANE MIRROR

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

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◆Relative motion of object and image :
Case I :
If an object moves towards (or away from) a plane mirror at speed v
The image will also approach (or recede) at speed v
The speed of image relative to object will be v – (–v) = 2v.

Case II :
If the mirror is moved towards or (away from) the object with speed 'v'
The image will move towards (or away from) the object with a speed '2v'.

◆Multiple Reflection
Number of images formed by combination of plane mirrors depends upon angle between mirrors. If
there are two plane mirrors inclined to each other at an angle 90° , the number of images of a point
object formed are 3.

SPHERICAL MIRRORS
A spherical mirror is a mirror with a curved surface of reflection. The two types of spherical mirrors
are:

Concave Mirror:
A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surface is curved inwards, that is, faces towards the centre of
the sphere, is called a concave mirror. It is also called as Converging mirror as it converges the
parallel beam of light after reflection.

Convex Mirror:
A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is curved outwards, is called a convex mirror.It is also
called as diverging mirror as it diverges the parallel beam of light after reflection.

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KEY TERMINOLOGIES:
1. Pole('P'):
The centre of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is called the pole. It is represented by
2. Centre of Curvature:
The centre of the sphere is called the centre of curvature. The spherical mirror is part of a big
sphere. The centre of curvature lies outside the mirror. In case of concave mirror it lies in front of
the reflective surface. In case of convex mirror it lies behind the reflective surface.
3. Radius of Curvature:
The radius of the sphere is called the radius of curvature. It is represented by 'R'.
4. Principal Axis:
The line joining the pole and the center of curvature is called the principal axis.
5. Principal Focus:
In mirrors with small aperture (diameter) roughly half of the radius of curvature is equal to the
focus point. At focus point all the light coming from infinity converge, in case of concave mirrors.
The light seem to diverge from f, in case of convex mirrors.
6. Aperture
The portion of a mirror from which the reflection of light actually takes place is called the aperture
of the mirror. It is also called linear aperture of the mirror. The aperture of a spherical mirror is
denoted by the diameter of its reflecting surfac

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.

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.
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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.
f =R/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 Reflection through Spherical Mirrors:

Well, in order to understand the reflection through spherical mirror, we should be aware of certain
rules.
Minimum two rays are required to draw a ray diagram which are selected from following four
rules as their path after reflection is known.

Rule 1: Whenever a ray of light is incident on the mirror parallel to the principal axis, it passes
through the principal focus. Let’s have a look to this carefully. For the concave mirror, as we can
see, I is the incident ray parallel to the principal axis, strikes the mirror, after reflection passes
through the principal focus, F. Now lets have a look to the convex mirror. Even here the incident
ray I is incident to the mirror get diverged and virtually passes through the principal focus.
Ray Diagram

Rule 2: A ray of light which passes through the principal focus towards the spherical mirror after
reflection is reflected parallel to the principal axis. For the concave mirror, as we can see, I is the
incident ray passes through the principal focus,F strikes the mirror, after reflection goes parallel
to the principal axis. Now lets have a look to the convex mirror.
Even here the incident ray I strikes the mirror, which virtually passes through the F, after
reflection, passes parallel to the principal axis.

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 Ray Diagram

Rule 3: A ray of light which passes through the centre of curvature of a spherical mirror after
reflection retraces the same path, i.e. goes back along the same path. For the concave mirror, as
we can see, I is the incident ray passes through the centre of curvature,C strikes the mirror, after
reflection goes back along the same path. Now lets have a look to the convex mirror. Even here
the incident ray I strikes the mirror, which virtually passes through the C, after reflection, passes
back along the same path.

Ray Diagram

Rule 4: A ray of light which is incident towards the pole of the spherical mirror obliquely to the
principal axis is reflected obliquely. For the concave mirror, as we can see, I is the incident ray that
is striking the mirror obliquely after reflection goes back obliquely. Now lets have a look to the
convex mirror. Even here the incident ray I is striking the mirror obliquely after reflection goes back
obliquely. Now let us have a detailed look on the image formation by concave mirror for different
positions of the object.Just keep in mind the rules we discussed sometime back.

Ray Diagram

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Image formation by Spherical Mirrors

Case 1. The object is placed at infinity. When the object is placed at infinity, the ray of light
coming the object finally meet at principal focus. The image formed is highly diminished, real
and inverted.

Case II. The object is placed beyond the Centre of curvature. Here the object ,O is placed beyond
C. A ray 1 passing through the focus after reflection goes parallel to the principal axis. Another
ray 2, goes parallel to the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus. The point where
these two rays meet is the point where the image is formed. Thus, we see that the image is
formedbetween F & C. The image here is real, inverted & diminished.

Case III. The object is placed at Centre of Curvature, C. In this case, the object ,O is placed at C.
A ray 1 passing through the focus after reflection goes parallel to the principal axis.
Another ray 2, goes parallel to the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus. The
point where these two rays meet is the point where the image is formed. Thus, we see that the
image is formed at C. The image here is real, inverted & of the same size.

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Case IV. The object is placed between C & F. Now, the object ,O is placed at C. A ray 1 passing
through the focus after reflection goes parallel to the principal axis. Another ray 2, goes parallel
to the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus. The point where these two rays
meet is the point where the image is formed. Thus, we see that the image is formed beyond C.The
image here is real, inverted & enlarged.

Case V. The object at at principal focus, F. The object ,O is now placed at F. A ray 1 passing
through the focus after reflection goes parallel to the principal axis. Another ray 2, goes parallel to
the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus. The point where these two rays meet is
the point where the image is formed. In this we see that the two rays doesn’t seem to meet. Thus,
the image is formed at infinity. The image here is real, inverted & enlarged.

Case VI: The object is between P & F. The object ,O is now placed between F & P. A ray 1
passing through the focus afterreflection goes parallel to the principal axis. Another ray 2, goes
parallel to the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus. The point where these two
rays meet is the point where the image is formed. In this we see that the two rays seem to meet
virtually behind the mirror. Thus, the image is formed behind the mirror. The image here is
virtual, erect & enlarged.
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IMPORTANT POINTS
Image Formed by Concave Mirror: (u here stands for distance between object and mirror)

1.When u < F, the image is: Virtual, Upright , Magnified (larger)

2.When u = F, the image is formed at infinity. In this case the reflected light rays are parallel

and do not meet the others. In this way, no image is formed or more properly the image is
formed at infinity.

3.When F < u < 2F, the image is: Real, Inverted (vertically), Magnified (larger)

4.When u = 2F, the image is: Real, Inverted (vertically), Same size

5.When u > 2F, the image is Real, Inverted (vertically), Diminished (smaller). When u < 2F,
the image is: Real, Inverted (vertically), Enlarged

6.Only Position of an object for which the image is virtual is between pole and focus.

7.The virtual image of concave mirror is always enlarged i.e. M >+1whereas virtual image of

convex mirror is always diminished i.e. M< +1.

8.Image distance decreases as the object is moved away from the mirror in case of concave
mirror.

9.Size of image decreases as the object moves away from the mirror.

Practical Applications of Concave mirror.

1. Concave mirrors are often used as shaving mirrors to see a magnified image of the face.
2. Concave mirrors are also used by dentists to see magnified images of the teeth of the
patients.
3. Concave mirrors are used in search lights, torches & vehicle headlights.

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Image formation by convex mirror for different positions of the object.

Case 1: The object is placed at infinity. The object ,O is now placed at infinity.the rays therefore
strike the mirror parallel to the principal axis. these rays virtually meet at the pricipal focus, F.
Thus, the image is formed at F behind the mirror. The image here is highly diminished, virtual &
erect.

Case II: The image is between Pole of the mirror & infinity. The object ,O is now placed
between the Pole of the mirror and infinity. The ray 1 passing parallel to the principal axis after
reflection virtually passes through the Focus. The ray 2 passing through the C vitually retraces its
path. The point where the two rays meet virtually is the position of the image.
Thus, the image is formed between P & F behind the mirror. The image here is diminished,
virtual & erect.

Image Formed By Convex Mirror:

The image is always virtual (rays haven't actually passed though the image), diminished (smaller),
and upright . These features make convex mirrors very useful: everything appears smaller in the
mirror, so they cover a wider field of view than a normal plane mirror does as the image is
"compressed"

Practical Applications of Convex Mirror:

Convex Mirrors are used as rear view mirrors, because these mirrors give diminished and erect
images, so this enables the driver to see the traffic behind ; also it gives a wider view.

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SUMMARY OF IMAGES BY SPHERICAL MIRROR

Natureof Image
Positionof object Positionof Image Size ofImage

At infinity At focusF Highly diminished Real andinverted

Beyond C BetweenF Diminished Real andinverted

and C
Concave mirror

At C At C Same size Real andinverted

BetweenF and C Beyond C Enlarged Real andinverted

At F At infinity Highly enlarged Real andinverted

BetweenP and F Behindthe mirror Enlarged Virtualand erect

at infinite at focus highly virtual

diminished point
size
convex mirror

anywhere between diminished virtual

on pole & erect
principal focus
axis

SIGN CONVENTION
Description : It is a convention which fixes the signs of different distances measured. The sign
convention to be followed is the New Cartesian sign convention. It gives the following rules :.
The set of sign conventions which we would follow now is known as New Cartesian Sign
Convention. In this convention, we would consider the Pole (P) of the mirror as the origin and the
Principal axis as the XX’ axis. Now, Let’s discuss the conventions :
1. All distances parallel to the principal axis are measured from the origin (P).
2. All distances measured to the right of the origin (P) are taken as positive.
3. All distances measured to the left of the origin (P) are taken as negative.
4. All distances measured perpendicular to and above the principal axis are taken as positive.
5. All distances measured perpendicular to and below the principal axis are taken as negative.
6. The object is always placed to the left of the mirror, i.e. the light is incident on the mirror always
from the left hand side.
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MIRROR FORMULA:
Assumptions made :
(i)The mirror has a small aperture.
(ii)The object lies close to principal axis of the mirror.
(iii) The incident rays make small angles with the mirror surface or the principal axis.

This formula relates the distance of an object and the distance of an image from the Pole with the
focal length of the mirror. Mirror formula goes like this:

1/v + 1/u =1/f;

where,
u= distance of the object from the Pole of the mirror.
v= distance of the image from the Pole of the mirror.
F= Focal length of the mirror.

Make a note of a point that while using the mirror formula, we need to take care of the sign
convention for both concave & convex mirrors.

LINEAR MAGNIFICATION FOR SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Definition : The ratio of the size of the image, as formed by reflection from the mirror to the size
of the object, is called linear magnification produced by the mirror. It is represented by the
symbol m.
Magnification describes the relative extent to which the size of the image of an object is enlarged
with respect to the size of the object. It is denoted by ‘m’.
Thus,
m = Height of Image (h') / Height of Object (h) = h' / h
m = hi/ho;
where,
h’= height of the image
h = height of the object
Magnification can also be related to the object distance,u and image distance,v. That is,
m= -v/u
For real & inverted images, Magnification is negative.
For virtual & erect images, Magnification is positive.

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