Chapter -10: Light: Reflection & Refraction

#INTRODUCTION:
Light is form of energy, light is needed to see things around us e. g. reading a book, see pictures in magazine,
and watch television and movies etc. also it is light which makes us see our image in a looking mirror. Though
we see various objects (or things) around us with our eyes but eyes alone cannot see any object. We also need
a source of light to make objects visible. For example we cannot see any object in a dark room because there
is no light but as soon as an electric bulb (a tube-light or a torch etc.) is switched on and light falls on the
objects we are able to see them clearly. When light rays from the electric bulb falls on an object, the object
reflects light back which enters into our eyes thus we are able to see that object.

#Luminous Objects: Those objects which emits their own light are called luminous object e.g. the sun, other
stars, electric bulb, and tube-light, candle and fires etc.

#Non-Luminous Objects: Those objects which do not emit their own light themselves but only reflect (or
scatter) the light which falls on them are called non-luminous objects e.g. flower, chair, table, books, trees,
humans, fan, bed etc.

#Dual nature of light:

(1)According to wave theory: light consist of electromagnetic waves which do not require a material medium
(like solid liquid gas) for their propagation.

(2)According to particle theory: Light is composed of particles which travel in a straight line at very high
speed but experiments over hundred years demonstrated that “light has a dual nature (double nature) i.e. light
exhibits the property of both waves and particles.

#Reflection of Light
The process of sending back the light rays which falls on the surface of the object is called reflection of
light.

#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.

#Plane Mirror: A plane mirror is a thin, flat and smooth sheet of glass having a shining coating of silver or
aluminium metal on one side.

#Formation of image by a Plane mirror:

Image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual and erect.
The size of the image is equal to that of the object.
The image formed is as far behind the mirror as the object is in
front of it. Further, the image is laterally inverted.

#Some important Definition

Incident ray: -The ray of light which falls on the mirror surface
is called incident ray.

Point of incidence: - The point at which the incident ray falls on the
mirror is called the point of incidence.

Reflected ray: - The point of light which is sent back by the mirror
is called the reflected ray.

Normal: - It is a line perpendicular to the mirror at the point of Incidence.

Angle of Incidence: - It is the angle made by the incident ray with the normal at the point of incidence.

Angle of Reflection: -It is the angle made by the reflected ray with the normal at the point of incidence.

#Uses of Plane Mirror:-

It is used to see ourselves. The mirrors on our dressing table and in bathrooms are plane mirrors.
Plane mirrors are fixed on the inside walls of certain shops (like jewellery shops) to make them look bigger.
Plane mirror are fitted at blind turns of some busy roads so that drivers can see the vehicles coming from
the other side and prevent accidents.
Plane mirrors are used in making periscopes.

#Real images:-
The image which can be obtained on a screen is called a real image. E.g. image formed on a cinema screen.

#Virtual Image:-
The image which cannot be obtained on a screen is called a virtual image. A virtual image can be seen only
by looking into a mirror or lens e.g. image of our face in a plane mirror.

Virtual image is an illusion & it is also called unreal image.

#Relation between Radius of curvature and focal length of a spherical mirror:

The focal length of a spherical mirror (concave & convex mirror) is equal to half of its radius of curvature.
𝐑
Where, f = focal length & R= Radius of Curvature ‘C’  F = 𝟐
Q. Radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm, what is its focal length.
𝐑
Soln: Given, R= 20 cm, we know, F = 𝟐 = 20/ 2 = 10 cm.
# Definition of spherical mirror:- It is that mirror whose reflecting surface is the part of a hollow sphere of
glass e.g. concave & convex mirror .Commonly used mirror e.g. shining spoon.

#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.

#Convex mirror: - A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is curved outwards, is called a convex mirror.

Concave mirror Convex mirror

#Pole: The centre of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is a point called the pole. It lies on the surface
of the mirror. The pole is usually represented by the letter P.

#Centre of Curvature: The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms a part of a sphere. This sphere has
a centre called the centre of curvature of the spherical mirror. It is represented by the letter C.

#Principal Axis: A straight line passing through the pole and the centre of curvature of a spherical mirror is
called the principal axis.

#Radius of Curvature: Radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is the radius of the hollow sphere of glass
of which the mirror is a part.

# Principal Focus of a concave mirror:-

The principal focus of a concave mirror is a point on its principal axis to which all the light rays which is
parallel & 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.

#Focal length:-The focal length of a concave mirror is the distance between its pole & principal focus.

# Principal focus of a convex mirror:-

The 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 a convex mirror.
 A convex mirror has a virtual focus; it is situated behind the mirror.
# Uses of concave mirrors
Concave mirrors are commonly used in torches, search-lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful
parallel beams of light.
 Concave mirror are often used as shaving mirrors to see a larger image of the face.
The dentists use concave mirrors to see large images of the teeth of patients.
Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in solar furnaces.

# Uses of convex mirrors

 Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view (wing) mirrors in vehicles.
 Convex mirrors are preferred because they always give an erect, though diminished, image.
 Convex mirror have a wider field of view as they are curved outwards.
 Convex mirrors enable the driver to view much larger area than would be possible with a plane mirror.

# Mirror Formula
 1/v + 1/u = 1/f where, v=image distance, u=object distance, f= focal length.

# Magnification
 It is expressed as the ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object. It is usually represented by
the letter m. [m =Height of the image (h´) / Height of the object (h)]
The magnification m is also related to the object distance (u) and image distance (v).
m= h´/h = ⎼ v /u

*Note:-
1. The height of the image should be taken as positive for virtual images. However, it is to be taken as
negative for real images.
2. A negative sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is real & inverted. A positive
sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is virtual & Erect.

#Rules for Obtaining Images Formed By Concave Mirror:

Fig 1. A ray of light which is parallel to the principal axis

of a concave mirror, passes through its focus after
reflection from the mirror.

Fig 2. A ray of light passing through the Centre of

curvature of a concave mirror is reflected back along the
same path.

Fig 3. A ray of light passing through the focus of a

concave mirror becomes parallel to the principal axis
after reflection.
Fig 4. A ray of light which is incident at the pole of a concave mirror is reflected back making the same angle
with the principal axis.
Case1: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is placed between pole P & focus F of the mirror.

Property:

1. Image formed behind the

mirror.

2. Image is Virtual & Erect.

3. Image is larger than the object

(magnified)

Case2: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is placed at focus F of the mirror.
Property:

1. Image formed at infinity.

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is larger than the object

(highly magnified)

Case3: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is placed between F and C
Property:

1. Image formed beyond C.O.C

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is magnified.

Case4: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is placed at C.

Property:

1. Image formed at C.O.C

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is of same size as the

object.

Case5: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is beyond the C. O.C.
Property:

1. Image formed between F & C.

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is smaller than the size of

the object.
Case6: Image formed by a concave mirror when object is at infinity.
Property:

1. Image formed at Focus F.

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is highly diminished.

#Rules for Obtaining Images Formed By Convex Mirror:

Fig 45.A ray of light which is parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror, appears to be coming from its
focus after reflection from the mirror.

Fig 46: A ray of light going towards the C.O.C of a convex mirror is reflected back along the same path.

Fig 47. A ray of light going towards the focus of a convex mirror becomes parallel to the principal axis after
reflection.

Fig 48. A ray of light which is incident to the pole of a convex mirror is reflected back making the same angle
with the principal axis.

Case1: When the object is placed anywhere between the pole P & infinity in front of a convex mirror.

Property:

1. Image formed behind the mirror between

Pole P & focus F.

2. Image is Virtual & Erect.

3. Image is diminished (smaller than the

object)
Case2: When the object is at Infinity.
Property:

1. Image formed behind the mirror at focus F.

2. Image is Virtual & Erect.

3. Image is highly diminished ( much smaller

than the object).

**Points to Remember:
For Concave Mirror:
 Object distance ‘u’ is always negative [To the left of the mirror]
Image distance ‘v’ is positive if the image is formed behind the mirror (to the right side) and image
distance ‘v’ is negative if the image is formed in front of the mirror (to the left side).
Focal length is always negative.
For real & inverted image Magnification is negative.

For Convex Mirror:

 Object distance ‘u’ is always negative [To the left of the mirror].
 Image distance ‘v’ is always positive [as convex mirror always form image behind the mirror i.e. on the
right side of the mirror]
 Focal length is always positive.

# Refraction of light: -
Explanation: We know that light travels in a straight line path. This
is true as long as light rays travels in the same medium (or same
substance) having same density throughout. If, however, the light rays
are made to go from one medium to another, the light rays change
their direction or bend at the boundary between the two media. E.g.
When a ray of light travelling in ‘air’ goes obliquely into another
medium ‘glass’, it changes the direction or bends on entering the
glass block and it occurs again when the ray of light goes out from
‘glass’ into ‘air’.
Definition: The change in direction of light when it passes from one medium to another obliquely, is called
refraction of light.
OR
The bending of light when it goes from one medium to another obliquely is called refraction of light.

**Note: In the reflection of light, the angle of reflection is always equal to the angle of incidence, but in the
refraction of light, the angle of refraction is usually not equal to the angle of incidence. The angle of refraction
is either smaller or greater than the angle of incidence.

# Cause of refraction:- The speed of light is different in different media e.g. speed of light in air is 3x108
m/s & glass is 2x108 m/s .The cause of refraction of light is due to the change in speed of light on going from
one medium to another. Thus, when light goes from one medium to another, its speed changes and these
changes in speed of light causes the refraction of light.

*Note: - Greater the difference in speeds of light in two media, greater will be the amount of refraction (or
bending) of light.
#Effects of refraction of light:-
1. A stick (or pencil) held obliquely & partly immersed in water appears to be bent at the water surface.
2. An object place under water appears to be raised.
3. When a thick glass slab is placed over some printed matter, the letter appears raised when viewed from
the top.
4. A lemon kept in water in a glass tumbler appear to be bigger than it’s actually size, when viewed from
the sides.
**A transparent medium in which
#Optically Rarer Medium: A medium in which the speed of light light travels is known as medium.
is more is known as optically rarer medium e.g. air is an optically Air, glass, certain plastics, water,
rarer medium as compared to glass and water. kerosene, alcohol etc. are
examples of medium. Different
#Optically Denser Medium: A medium in which the speed of light
medium are said to have different
is less is known as optically denser medium e.g. glass is an optically
optical densities.
denser medium than air and water.
**NOTE: It has been found that:
1. When a ray of light goes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, it bends towards the normal (at the
point of incidence)
2. When a ray of light goes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it bends away from the normal (at the
point of incidence)

# Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab

A ray of light AO travelling in air is incident on a
rectangular glass slab PQRS at point O. On entering the
glass slab, it gets refracted along OB and bends towards
the normal ON'.
A second change of direction takes place when the
refracted ray OB, travelling in glass emerges (or comes
out) into air at point B (i.e.) the ray of light goes from
denser medium ‘glass’ into the rarer medium ‘air’, thus it
bends away from the normal B𝐍𝟏’ and goes into the
direction BC.
The incident ray AO and emergent ray BC are
parallel to each other because the extent of bending of the
ray of light at point O and B on the opposite, parallel faces
(PQ and SR) of the rectangular glass slab is equal and opposite.
The emergent ray BC has been sideways displaced (or laterally displaced). The original path of incident
light is AOD but the emergent light goes along BC, the lateral displacement between them is CD.
Definition: The perpendicular distance between the original path of the incident ray and the emergent
ray coming out of the glass slab is called lateral displacement of the emergent ray.
*Lateral displacement depends on or proportional to three factors: angle of incidence, thickness of
glass slab and refractive index of glass slab. Higher the values of these factors, greater will be the
lateral displacement.
#Laws of Refraction of Light: -
The following are the laws of refraction of light.

(i) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the interface of two transparent media at the point of
incidence, all lie in the same plane.

(ii) The ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a constant for a given pair of
media. This law is also known as Snell’s law of refraction.
𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐢
= constant
𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐫

[Note: The second law of refraction gives a relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of
refraction. This relationship was discovered by Snell experimentally in 1621.]
# The Refractive Index:
𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐢
 The value of the constant 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐫 for a ray of light passing from air into a particular medium is called the
refractive index of that medium.
Refractive index is usually denoted by the symbol "n". It has no units.
𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐢
So, refractive index; n = 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐫
Sin i = sine of the angle of incidence (in air)
Sin r = sine of the angle of refraction (in medium).

#Factors affecting Refractive Index:

1. Nature of the medium
The refractive index of a medium depends on its optical density. Optical density is the measure of how
much a medium slows down the speed of light. The denser the medium, the higher is the optical density and
higher is the refractive index.

2. Colour or Wavelength of light

Light with shorter wavelength such as violet has higher refractive index than light with longer wavelength
such as red.

3. Temperature
As the temperature of a medium increases, the speed of light in the medium increases and the refractive
index of the medium decreases.

#Refractive Index & Speed of light:

Light is refracted or bent in going from one medium to another because its speed changes (it slows down or speeds
up). Due to which refractive index ‘n’ can also be written as ratio of speeds of light in two media.
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝟏
1n2 =
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝟐
𝐯𝟏
1n2 = [1n2 = refractive index of medium 2 w.r.t medium 1]
𝐯𝟐
#Relative Refractive Index:
When light is going from one medium (other than vacuum or air) to another medium, then the value of
refractive index is called Relative refractive index. E.g. when light is going from water into glass, then the
value of refractive index will be the relative refractive index of glass with respective to water (wng).

#Absolute Refractive Index:

When light is going from vacuum to another medium, then the value of refractive index is called the absolute
refractive index.
The absolute refractive index has only one subscript with its symbol ‘n’ on its right side e.g. for the light
going from vacuum to glass, the absolute refractive index of glass is represented as nglass (and not as vacuumnglass).

Q. Light enters from air into a glass plate having refractive index 1.50. What is the speed of light in glass?
(The speed of light in vacuum is 3x 108 m/s).
Speed of light in air (or vacuum)
Ans: Refractive index of glass = Speed of light in glass
3 x 108
⟹ 1.50 =Speed of light in glass
3 x 108 x 100
⟹ Speed of light in glass =
150
= 2 x 108 m/s
**Note:
1. If any two media are optically exactly the same, then no bending occurs when light passes from
one medium to another.
2. If the incident ray falls normally or perpendicularly to the surface of a glass slab, then there is no
bending of the ray of light, and it goes straight. (Angle 90 degree)
#Optical Density:
The optical density of a substance (or medium) is the degree to which it retards (or slows down) the
rays of light passing through it.
 A substance having higher refractive index is optically denser than another substance having lower
refractive index.

**Note:
The refractive index of light going from medium 1 to medium 2 is equal to the reciprocal of the
refractive index for light going from medium 2 to medium 1.
i. For the light going from
medium 1 to medium 2.
𝐯
1n2 = 𝐯𝟏 ---- (1)
𝟐

ii. For the light going from

medium 2 to medium 1.
𝐯𝟐
2n1 =
𝐯𝟏

𝟏 𝐯𝟏
⟹ = --------- (2)
2n1 𝐯𝟐

From 1 & 2
𝟏
1n2 =
𝟐𝐧𝟏
Q. If the refractive index of water for light going from air to water be 1.33, what will be the refractive
index for light going from water to air?

Ans: anw = 1.33 wn a =?

𝟏
Now, wna =
anw

= 1/1.33

= 0.75

# Lens: - A lens is a transparent material bounded by two surfaces, of which one or both surfaces are
spherical.
OR
A lens is a piece of transparent glass bound by two spherical surfaces.

Types of Lens:-
1. Convex lens 2. Concave lens.

Convex lens: - A lens that is thicker at the

centre but thinner at the edges is called convex
lens. It is also called converging lens because it
converges (bring to a point), a parallel beam of
light rays passing through it.
 A convex lens has a Real Focus.

Concave lens: - A lens that is thin in the centre

but thicker at the edges are called concave lens.
It is also known as diverging lens because it
diverges a parallel beam of light rays.
A concave lens has a virtual focus.

# Optical centre: - The center point of a lens is known as its

optical centre. It is usually denoted by the letter "C". It is
sometimes also denoted by letter "O"

#Principal Axis: - It is a line passing through the optical

centre of the lens and perpendicular to both the faces of the
Lens.

# Principal Focus of a convex lens: - It is a point on its principal axis to which light rays parallel to the
principal axis converge after passing through the lens.

#Focal length for (convex lens/concave lens): - The focal

length of a lens is the distance between optical centre and
principal focus of the lens.

#Principal focus of a concave lens: - The principal focus of a

concave lens is a point on its principal axis from which light
rays, originally parallel to the axis, appears to diverge after
passing through the concave lens.
#Uses of Concave Lens:-
Used in spectacles to correct the defects of vision called myopia (short-sightedness).
Used as eye lens in Galilean Telescope.
Used in wide-angle spyhole in doors.

#Uses of Convex Lens:-

Used in spectacles to correct the defects of vision called hypermetropia (or long-sightedness).
Used in making simple camera
Used as a magnifying glass by palmist, watchmakers etc.
Used in making microscopes, telescopes and slide projectors (or film projectors)

#Note: - Focal length for convex lens is positive & for Concave lens is negative.

#Rules for obtaining Images formed by Convex Lenses:

Fig 29: A ray of light which is parallel to the

principal axis of a convex lens, passes through its
focus after refraction through the lens.

Fig 30: A ray of light passing through the optical

centre of a convex lens goes straight after
refraction through the lens.

Fig 31: A ray of light passing through the focus of a

convex lens becomes parallel to its principal axis
after refraction through the lens.

#Formation of different types of Images by a Convex Lens:

Case 1. Image formed by a convex lens when the object is placed between optical centre C and
focus F'.
Property:

1. Image is formed behind the object (on the

left side of lens)

2. Image is Virtual and erect.

3. Image is larger than the object (enlarged)

Case 2. When the object is placed at the focus of a convex lens (object at F')
Property:

1. Image is formed at Infinity.

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is highly enlarged or highly

magnified.

Case 3. When the object is between F' and 2F'

Property:

1. Image is formed beyond 2F

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is larger than the object

(magnified)

Case 4. When the object is at 2F'

Property:

1. Image is formed at a distance 2F on the

other side of the lens.

2. Image is Real & Inverted.

3. Image is of the same size as the object.

Case 5. When the object is beyond 2F'

Property:
1. Image is formed between F and 2F on
the other side of the lens.
2. Image is Real & Inverted.
3. Image is smaller than the size of the
object.

Case 6. When the object is at Infinity.

Property:
1. Image is formed at the focus F
2. Image is Real & Inverted.
3. Image is much smaller (or highly
diminished) than the object.
#Note:
#For Convex Lens
Object distance ‘u’ is always negative [left side of the lens]
Focal length ‘f’ is considered positive.
Image distance ‘v’ is positive [if image is formed on the right side of the lens; and it will be real and
inverted].
Image distance ‘v’ will be negative [if image is formed on the same side as the object; virtual and erect]
#For Concave Lens
Object distance ‘u’ is always negative [left side of the lens]
 Focal length ‘f’ is considered negative.
No matter where the object is placed in front of a concave lens, it will always form virtual, erect and
diminished image hence Image distance ‘v’ is Negative (on the left side of the lens)

#Rules for obtaining images formed by Concave Lens:

Fig 43: A ray of light which is parallel to the principal

axis of a concave lens, appears to be coming from its
focus after refraction through the lens.

Fig 44: A ray of light passing through the optical

centre ‘C’ of a concave lens goes straight after passing
through the lens.

Fig 45: A ray of light going towards the focus of a

concave lens, becomes parallel to the principal axis
after refraction through the lens.

Formation of Image by a Concave Lens:

Case 1: Object is at Infinity

Property:

1. Image is formed at Focus F'.

2. Image is Virtual & Erect.

3. Image is Highly Diminished.

Case 2: Object is placed anywhere between optical centre and infinity in front of a concave lens:

Property:

1. Image is formed between optical

centre and Focus.

2. Image is Virtual & Erect.

3. Image is diminished (smaller than

the object).

#Lens Formula: -
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
 - = , where v= image distance, u= object distance, f= focal length.
𝐯 𝐮 𝐟

#Magnification for lens

𝐡′ 𝐯
 m= [If the magnification ‘m’ has a Positive value, the image is Virtual & Erect and if
or m =
𝐡 𝐮
‘m’ has a Negative value, the image will be real & Inverted]
 A convex lens can form virtual images as well as real images therefore, the magnification
produced by a convex lens can be either positive or negative. A concave lens forms only virtual
images, so the magnification produced by a concave lens is always positive.
A convex lens form images which are smaller than the object, equal to object or bigger than the
object therefore, the magnification ‘m’ produced by a convex lens can be less than 1, equal to 1 or
more than 1.
A concave lens forms images which are always smaller than the object, so the magnification ‘m’
produced by a concave lens is always less than 1.

# Power of a Lens: -
 The power of a lens is a measure of the degree of convergence or divergence of light rays falling on
it. The power of lens is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length in metres.
P=1/f

The SI unit of power of a lens is ‘dioptre’. It is denoted by the letter D. If ‘f’ is expressed in metres,
then, power is expressed in dioptres.

# 1 dioptre: - 1 dioptre is the power of a lens whose focal length is 1 metre. 1D = 1m–1.

*Note: -
The power of a convex lens is positive and that of a concave lens is negative.
Since the power ‘P’ of lens is inversely proportional to focal length ‘f’, therefore, a length of short
focal length has more power whereas a lens of long focal length has less power. E.g. a lens of 5 cm
focal length will have more power than a lens of 20 cm focal length.
{A more powerful lens is one that bends the light rays more; and has a shorter focal length}.
(A thick lens has short focal length but more power. A thin lens has large focal length but less
power).