LIGHT

Class-X
LIGHT
REFLECTION
Light: Light is a form of energy which causes sense of vision.
Luminous objects: The objects, which emits light their own are called luminous.
Ex: Sun, stars, electric bulb, candle, fire etc.
Non-luminous objects: The objects which don not emit light themselves but only reflect or scatter the light
which falls on them are called non-luminous objects.
Ex: a flower, chair, table, wall etc.,
Properties of light:
1. Light always travels Straight line. (Rectilinear property)
2. Light undergoes reflection.
3. Light undergoes refraction.
4. Light undergoes interference.
5. Light undergoes diffraction.
6. Light undergoes polarization.
Nature of light:
Light has dual nature; 1. Particle Nature. 2. Wave Nature.
According to particle theory, Light is composed of particles which travel in a straight line at very high
speed.
According to wave theory, light consist of electromagnetic waves which do not require a material medium
for their propagation.
Reflection of light: The bouncing back of light from the surface of an object is called reflection of light.
The objects having polished, shining surfaces reflect more light than objects having unpolished dull
Surfaces.
Representation of light:
The light in generally, represented by a Ray of light in ray diagram.
A ray of light is the straight line along which light travels.
A bundle of light rays is called beam of light.
Laws of reflection:
(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.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 1

LIGHT

A ray of light which is incident normally on a mirror is reflected back along the same path, because the
angle of incidence as well as the angle of reflection for such a ray of light are zero.
The law of reflection of light apply to all kinds of mirrors, plane mirrors as well as spherical mirrors like
concave and convex mirrors.
Use of laws of reflection:
By using the laws of reflection, it is easy to find out the nature and position of the images formed by the
various types of mirrors.
Types of reflections:
Reflections are generally two types: 1) Regular reflection 2) Diffuse reflection.
S.No Regular Reflection Diffuse Reflection
1. If a parallel beam of incident light is If a parallel beam of incident light is
reflected as a parallel beam in one direction reflected in different directions is
is called regular reflection. called diffuse reflection.
2.

Diffuse reflection
Regular reflection
3. Plane mirror produces regular reflection of Rough surfaces like paper,
light cardboard, chalk, table etc, produces
diffuse reflection.
4. Image formed by the regular reflection. Image not formed by the diffuse
reflection.
5. Obeys the laws of reflections Obeys the laws of reflections
6. It occurs due to smoothness of the surface. It occurs due to irregularities on the
surface.

Object: Anything which gives out light rays either its own or reflected by it is called an object.
Image: it is an optical appearance produced when light rays coming from an object are reflected form a
mirror.
Images are of two types: 1) Real image 2) virtual image
MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 2
LIGHT
Real image Virtual image
Real images are inverted Virtual images are erect
A real image is formed on the screen. Virtual images appear to be on the lens or the
mirrors itself.
Real images are formed due to the actual Virtual images are formed due to the
intersection of light rays. imaginary intersection of light rays.

Reflection of light from plane mirror:

Properties of an image formed by a plane mirror:
1. Virtual and erect image.
2. Image size is as same size of the object.
3. The image distance is equal to the object distance, but image forms behind the mirror.
4. Image is laterally inverted (sideways reversed).
Uses of plane mirrors:
1. Plane mirrors used in dressing tables and bathrooms.
2. Plane mirrors used in shops like jewellay and sweet shops etc.
3. Plane mirrors used in making periscopes.
4. Planes mirrors are fitted at blind turns of the busy roads to prevent accidents.
Reflection of light form curved surfaces: Spherical Mirrors
Spherical Mirror: It is a mirror whose reflecting surface is the part of a hollow sphere of glass.
The spherical mirrors are of two types: concave mirrors and convex mirrors.
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.

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’.
Center of curvature: The center of the hallow glass sphere formed by the spherical mirror is called center
of curvature. It is denoted by letter ‘C’.
It lies outside its reflecting surface.
Radius of curvature: The radius of the sphere of which the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is called
the radius of curvature of the mirror. It is represented by the letter ‘R’.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 3

LIGHT
Principal axis: The imaginary line that passes through the pole and the center of curvature of the spherical
mirror is called the principal axis.
Principal axis is normal to the mirror at its pole.
Principal focus of the concave 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.

Principal focus of the 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
the convex mirror.

The principal focus is represented by the letter F.

Focal length: The distance between the pole and the principal focus of a spherical mirror is called the focal
length. It is represented by the letter f.
Focal length of the plane mirror is infinite.
Aperture: The portion of a mirror from which the reflection of light actually takes place is called the
aperture of the mirror.
Relation between f and R: For spherical mirrors of small apertures, the radius of curvature is found to be
equal to twice the focal length.
i.e., R = 2f .
Determination of focal length of a concave mirror ( quickly but approximately)
When an object is at a considerable distance ( or at infinite) from a concave mirror, then its image is formed
at the focus. This fact can be used to find out the focal length of a concave mirror quickly but approximately.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 4

LIGHT
Rules for obtaining images formed by concave mirrors:
Rule1: A ray of light which is parallel to the principal axis of a concave mirror, pass through its focus after
reflection from the mirror.

Rule 2: A ray of light passing through the focus of a concave mirror becomes parallel to the principal axis
after reflection.

Rule 3: A ray of light passing through the center of curvature of a concave mirror is reflected back along the
same path.

Rule 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.

Image formation by concave mirror:

S.No. Position of the Position of the Size of the image Nature of the
object image image
1. At infinity At the focus ‘F’ Point size, highly Real and
diminished inverted
2. Beyond C Between ‘F’ and ‘C’ diminished Real and
inverted
3. At ‘C’ At ‘C’ Same size Real and
MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 5
LIGHT
inverted
4. Between ‘C’ and Beyond ‘C’ Enlarged Real and
‘F’ inverted
5. At ‘F’ At infinity Highly enlarged Real and
inverted
6. Between ‘F’ and Behind the mirror enlarged Virtual and
‘P’ erect

Ray diagrams of image formation by the concave mirror at different positions of object:

Characteristic property of concave mirror:

It never forms the diminished virtual image.
Uses of concave mirror:
1. It is used as shaving mirrors to see a large image of the face.
2. It is used by dentists to see the large image of the teeth of patients.
3. It is used as reflectors in torches, vehicle head lights and search light.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 6

LIGHT
4. Concave dishes are used in TV dish antennas.
5. Large concave mirrors are used in solar furnaces.
Rules for obtaining images formed by convex mirrors:
Rule 1: A ray of light which is parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror appears to be coming from
its focus after reflection form the mirror.

Rule 2: A ray of light going towards the focus of a convex mirror becomes parallel to the principal axis after
reflection.

Rule 3: A ray of light going towards the center of curvature of a convex mirror is reflected back along the
same path.

Rule 4: A ray of light which is incident at the pole of a convex mirror is reflected back making the same
angle with the principal axis.

Image formation by convex mirror:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 7

LIGHT
S.No. Position of the Position of the Size of the image Nature of the
object image image
1. At infinity Behind the mirror at Point size, highly Virtual and
the focus ‘F’ diminished erect
2. Any where Behind the mirror diminished Virtual and
between pole P and between ‘F’ and ‘C’ erect
infinity
Ray diagrams of image formation by the convex mirror at different positions of object:

Characteristic property of convex mirror:

It never forms the enlarged virtual image.
Uses of convex mirror:
1. Convex mirrors are used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles.
2. Big convex mirrors are used as shop security mirrors
3. Big convex mirrors are used at blind turns to avoid accidents.
Advantages of convex mirrors as rear-view mirrors:
1. It gives wide field of view.
2. It gives highly diminished image.
3. It forms virtual and erect image.
How to distinguish between a plane mirror, a concave mirror and convex mirror?
1. A plane mirror will produce an image of the same size.
2. A concave mirror will produce a magnified image.
3. A convex mirror will produce a diminished image.
Sign convention for spherical mirrors:
According to the new Cartesian sign convention:
1. All the distances are measured from pole of the mirror as origin.
2. Distances measured in the same direction as that of the incident light are taken as positive.
3. Distances measured against the direction of incident light are taken as negative.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 8

LIGHT
4. Distances measured upwards and perpendiculars to the principal axis are taken as positive.
5. Distances measured downward and perpendicular to the principal axis are taken as negative.
The object is always placed on the left side of the mirror.
All the distances measured from the pole (P) of mirror to the right side will be considered positive. On the
other hand, all the distances measured from pole (P) of mirror to the left side will be negative.
Important points regarding directions:
1. The object distance (u) is always negative.
2. If an image is formed behind a mirror (or) other side of the lenes, the image distance (v) is positive.
3. If an image is formed in front of a mirror (or) same side of the lens, the image distance (v) is
negative.
4. The focal length for convex mirror or lens is positive.
5. The focal length for concave mirror or lens is negative.
6. The height of the object is always positive.
7. If an image formed above the principal axis, then its height is taken as positive (for virtual image).
8. If an image formed below the principal axis, then its height is taken as negative (for real image).
Mirror formula:
The formula which gives the relationship between image distance (v), object distance (u) and focal
length of a spherical mirror is known as the mirror formula.
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑣 𝑢

Where v= image distance

u = object distance
f = focal length
Linear magnification:
The ration of the height of image to the height of object is known as linear magnification.
Or
The ratio of the image distance to the object distance, with a minus sign.
ℎ 𝑣
𝑚= =−
ℎ 𝑢
Where m = magnification
hi= height of the image
ho= height of the object
v= image distance
u= object distance

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 9

LIGHT
Note:
1. If m has positive sign (m  +ve), then image is virtual and erect.
2. If m has negative sign (m  -ve),, then image is real and inverted.
3. If m value greater than one (m > 1),, the image is enlarged.
4. If m value less than one (m<1), the image is diminished.
5. If m equals to one (m =1), the image is same as that of the object.
Problem 1:
An incident ray makes an angle of 350 with the surface of a plane mirror. What is the angle of reflection?
Problem 2:
David is observing his image in a plane mirror. The distance between the mirror and his image is 4 m. If he
moves 1 m towards the mirror, then the distance between David and his image will be?
Problem 3:
The rear view mirror of a car is a plane mirror. A driver is reversing his car at a speed of 2 m/s. The driver
sees in his rear view mirror, the image of a truck parked behind his car. The speed at which the image of the
truck appears to approach the driver will be:
Problem 4:
If the radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm, what is its focal length?
Problem 5:
We wish to obtain an erect image of an object using a concave mirror of focal length 15 cm. What should be
the range of distance of the object form the mirror? What is the nature of the image? Is the image larger or
smaller than the object? Draw a ray-diagram to show the image formation in this case?
Problem 6:
The image formed by a concave mirror is seen to be virtual, erect and larger than the object. The position of
the object must be:
Problem 7:
A concave mirror has a focal length of 10 cm. where should an object be placed in front of this concave
mirror so as to obtain an image which is real, inverted and of the same size as the object?
Problem 8:
An object is place at the following distances from a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm: (a) 8 cm (b)
15 cm (c) 20 cm (d) 25 cm
What is the position, size and nature of the object will produce?
Problem 9:
Find the size, nature and position of image formed when an object of size 1 cm is placed at a distance of 15
cm from a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm.
Problem 10:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 10

LIGHT
An object 2 cm is placed at a distance of 16 cm from a concave mirror, which produces a real image 3 c it
produces a real image of 3cm high.
(i) What is the focal length of the mirror?
(ii) Find the position of the image?
Problem 11:
A concave mirror produces three times magnified (enlarged) real image of an object placed at 10 cm in front
of it. Where is the image located?
Problem 12:
Magnification produced by a plane mirror is +1. What does this mean?
Problem 13:
What is the nature of the image formed by a concave mirror if the magnification produced by the mirror is
+3?
Problem 14:
What is the nature of the image formed by a concave mirror if the magnification produced by the mirror is -
0.75?
Problem 15:
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.

Work sheet-1
1. A ray of light is incident on a plane mirror at an angle of 30°. What is the angle of reflection?
2. A ray of light strikes a plane mirror at an angle of 40° to the mirror surface. What will be the angle of
reflection?
3. A ray of light is incident normally on a plane mirror. What will be the :
(a) angle of incidence? (b) angle of reflection?
4. What type of image is formed : (a) in a plane mirror? (b) on a cinema screen?
5. What kind of mirror is required for obtaining a virtual image of the same size as the object?
6. What is the name of the phenomenon in which the right side of an object appears to be the left side of
the image in a plane mirror?
7. If an object is placed at a distance of 10 cm in from of a plane mirror, how far would it be from its
image?
8. Which property of light makes a pencil cast a shadow when it is held in front of a light source?
9. The image seen in a plane mirror cannot be formed on a screen. What name is given to this type of
image?
10. Where is the image when you look at something in a mirror?

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 11

LIGHT
11. A ray of light strikes a plane mirror such that its angle of incidence is 30°. What angle does the
reflected ray make with the mirror surface?
12. What is the difference between a real image and a virtual image? Give one example of each type of
image.
13. The letter F is placed in front of a plane mirror :
How would its image look like when seen in a plane mirror?
What is the name of the phenomenon involved?
14. What is lateral inversion? Explain by giving a suitable example.
15. Write the word AMBULANCE as it would appear when reflected in a plane mirror. Why is it
sometimes written in this way (as its mirror image) on the front of an ambulance?
16. What are the important differences between looking at a photograph of your face and looking at
yourself in a plane mirror?
17. (a) A wall reflects light and a mirror also reflects light. What difference is there in the way they reflect
light?
(b) Which type of reflection of light leads to the formation of images?
18. What is the difference between regular reflection of light and diffuse reflection of light? What type of
reflection of light takes place from :
(a) a cinema screen (b) a plane mirror (c) a cardboard (d) still water surface of a lake
19. What can you see in a completely dark room? If you switch on an electric bulb in this dark room as a
light source, explain how you could now see : (a) the electric bulb. (b) a piece of white paper.
20. (a) A boy with a mouth 5 cm wide stands 2 m away from a plane mirror. Where is his image and how
wide is the image of his mouth?
(b) The boy walks towards the mirror at a speed of 1 m/s. At what speed does his image approach
him?
21. (a) An extended object in the form of an arrow pointing upward has been placed in front of a plane
mirror. Draw a labelled ray-diagram to show the formation of its image.
(b) State the uses of plane mirrors.
22. What is meant by ‘reflection of light’? Define the following terms used in the study of reflection of
light by drawing a labelled ray-diagram :
(a) Incident ray (b) Point of incidence (c) Normal (d) Reflected ray (e) Angle of incidence
(f) Angle of reflection
23. State and explain the laws of reflection of light at a plane surface (like a plane mirror), with the help of
a labelled ray-diagram. Mark the angles of ‘incidence’ and ‘reflection’ clearly on the diagram. If the
angle of reflection is 47.5°, what will be the angle of incidence?

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 12

LIGHT
24. With the help of a labelled ray-diagram, describe how a plane mirror forms an image of a point source
of light placed in front of it. State the characteristics of the image formed in a plane mirror.
25. (a) Explain why, though both a plane mirror and a sheet of paper reflect light but we can see the image
of our face in a plane mirror but not in a sheet of paper.
(b) The image in a plane mirror is virtual and laterally inverted. What does this statement mean?
(c) Write all the capital letters of the alphabet which look the same in a plane mirror.
26. A man stands 10 m in front of a large plane mirror. How far must he walk before he is 5 m away from
his image?
27. An object is placed 20 cm in front of a plane mirror. The mirror is moved 2 cm towards the object. The
distance between the positions of the original and final images seen in the mirror is :
(a) 2 cm, (b) 4 cm (c) 10 cm (d) 22 cm
28. A man sits in an optician’s chair, looking into a plane mirror which is 2 m away from him and views
the image of a chart which faces the mirror and is 50 cm behind his head. How far away from his eyes
does the chart appear to be?
29. A ray of light strikes a plane mirror PQ at an angle of incidence of 30°, is reflected from the plane
mirror and then strikes a second plane mirror QR placed at right angles to the first mirror. The angle of
reflection at the second mirror is :
(a) 30° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
Draw a ray-diagram to illustrate your answer.
Work sheet 2
1. Name the spherical mirror which has : ( a) virtual principal focus. (b) real principal focus.
2. Out of convex mirror and concave mirror, whose focus is situated behind the mirror?
3. Find the focal length of a concave mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.
4. If the focal length of a convex mirror is 25 cm, what is its radius of curvature?
5. Fill in the following blanks with suitable words:
Parallel rays of light are reflected by a concave mirror to a point called the………..
The focal length of a concave mirror is the distance from the………. to the mirror.
A concave mirror…….. rays of light whereas a convex mirror……… rays of light.
For a convex mirror, parallel rays of light appear to diverge from a point called the…………
6. What is a spherical mirror? Distinguish between a concave mirror and a convex mirror.
7. Name the two types of spherical mirrors. What type of mirror is represented by the :
(a) back side of a shining steel spoon?
(b) front side of a shining steel spoon?
8. Explain with a suitable diagram, how a concave mirror converges a parallel beam of light rays. Mark
clearly the pole, focus and centre of curvature of concave mirror in this diagram.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 13

LIGHT
9. Describe with a suitable diagram, how a convex mirror diverges a parallel beam of light rays. Mark
clearly the pole, focus and centre of curvature of convex mirror in this
10. Define (a) centre of curvature (b) radius of curvature (c) pole (d) principal axis, and (e) aperture, of a
spherical mirror with the help of a labelled diagram.
11. (a) Define (i) principal focus of a concave mirror, and (ii) focal length of a concave
12. (a) What is meant by (i) principal focus of a convex mirror, and (ii) focal length of a convex mirror?

Work sheet-3
Very short answer type question:
1. For what position of an object, a concave mirror forms a real image equal in size to the object?
2. Where should an object be placed in front of the concave mirror so as to obtain its virtual, erect and
magnified image?
3. For which positions of the object does a concave mirror produce an inverted, magnified and real image?
4. If an object is placed at the focus of a concave mirror, where is the image formed?
5. If an object is at infinity (very large distance) in front of a concave mirror, where is the image formed?
6. For what position of an object, a real and diminished image is formed by a concave mirror?
7. Copy this figure in your answer book and show the direction of the light ray after reflection :

8. Draw the following diagram in your answer book and show the formation of image of the object AB
with the help of suitable

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 14

LIGHT
9. Draw the following diagram in your answer book and show the formation of image with the help of
suitable rays

10. Which type of mirror could be used as a dentist’s mirror?

Short answer type questions

11. Which kind of mirror is used in the headlights of a car? Why is it used for this purpose?
12. Explain why, a ray of light passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror gets reflected
back along the same path.
13. What is the minimum number of rays required for locating the image formed by a concave mirror for an
object? Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of a virtual image by a concave mirror.
14. With the help of a ray diagram, determine the position, nature and size of the image formed of an object
placed at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror.
15. Describe with the help of a diagram, the nature, size and position of the image formed when an object is
placed beyond the centre of curvature of a concave mirror.
16. If an object is placed at a distance of 8 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm, discuss the
nature of the image formed by drawing the ray diagram.
17. Draw a ray diagram showing how a concave mirror can be used to produce a real, inverted and
diminished image of an object.
18. Which mirror is used as a torch reflector? Draw a labelled diagram to show how a torch reflector can be
used to produce a parallel beam of light. Where is the bulb placed in relation to the torch reflector?
19. State where an object must be placed so that the image formed by a concave mirror is :
(a) erect and virtual.
(b) at infinity.
(c) the same size as the object.
20. With the help of a labelled ray diagram, describe how a converging mirror can be used to give an
enlarged upright image of an object.
21. Make labelled ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of :
(a) a real image by a converging mirror.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 15

LIGHT
(b) a virtual image by a converging mirror.
Mark clearly the pole, focus, centre of curvature and position of object in each case.
22. Briefly describe how you would find the focal length of a concave mirror quickly but approximately.
23. Which type of mirror is used in a solar furnace? Support your answer with reason.
24. Name the type of mirror used by dentists. How does it help?
Solution: Concave mirror is used by dentists.
The dentist holds a small concave mirror in such a way that the tooth lies within its focus. A magnified
image of the tooth is then seen by the dentist in the concave mirror. Since the tooth looks much bigger,
it becomes easy to examine the defect in the tooth.
25. Explain why, concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors.
26. Give two uses of concave mirrors. Explain why you would choose concave mirrors for these uses.

Long answer type question

27. (a) Draw ray-diagrams to show the formation of images when the object is placed in front of a concave
mirror (converging mirror) :
(i) between its pole and focus
(ii) between its centre of curvature and focus.
Describe the nature, size and position of the image formed in each case.
(b) State one use of concave mirror based on the formation of image as in case (z) above.
28. (a) Give two circumstances in which a concave mirror can form a magnified image of an object placed
in
front of it. Illustrate your answer by drawing labelled ray diagrams for both.
(b) Which one of these circumstances enables a concave mirror to be used as a shaving mirror?

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 16

LIGHT

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 17

LIGHT
REFRACTION
Refraction of Light:
The bending of light when it goes from one medium to another obliquely is called refraction of light.

Cause of refraction:
The refraction of light is due to the change in the speed of light on going from one medium to another.
The speed of light is different in different media.
For Example, the speed of light in air is 3 X 108 m/s whereas that is glass is 2 X 108 m/s.
Greater the difference in the speeds of light in the two media, greater will be the amount of refraction of
light.
Explanation of change in speed at boundary:
According wave theory of light, a beam of light is made up of tiny waves. When a beam of light consisting
of light waves and travelling in the certain medium falls obliquely on the boundary of another medium, then
one part of the light wave enters into the other medium first and its speed changes first but the rest of the
waves enters other medium a little later and hence its speed of light wave on the side of the beam of light
changes a little before the change in the speed of light wave on its another side causes a change in the
direction of light.

Optically rarer medium:

A medium in which the speed of light is more is known as optically rarer medium.
Optically Denser medium:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 18

LIGHT
A medium in which the speed of light is less is known as optically denser medium.
Refraction of light when it goes from a rarer medium to a denser medium:
When a ray of light goes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, it bends towards the normal.
Refraction of light when it goes from a denser medium to a rarer medium:
When a ray of light goes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it bends away from the normal.

Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab:

A parallel sided glass slab is also called rectangular glass block.

 A ray of light ‘AE’ travelling in air is incident on a rectangular glass slab ‘PQRS’ at point E.
 On entering the glass slab, it gets refracted along ‘EF’ and bends towards the normal ‘MN’.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 19

LIGHT
 Then, the refracted ray of light ‘EF’ travelling in glass emergence into air at point ‘F’ as an emergent
ray ‘FD’.
 This emergent ray bends away from the normal ‘MʹNʹ’
 It is observed that the emergent ray (FD) is parallel to the direction of the incident ray (AE), because
the extent of bending of ray of light at point ‘E’ and ‘F’ on the opposite, parallel faces (PQ and SR)
of the rectangular glass slab is equal and opposite.
 However, the light ray is shifted sideward slightly.
 The perpendicular distance between the original path of incident ray and the emergent ray coming
out of the glass is called lateral displacement.
 Here, the angle of incidence and the angel of emergence are equal.
Note:
If the incident ray falls normally to the surface of a glass slab, then there is no bending of the ray of light,
and it goes straight.

Effects of refraction of light:

1. A stick or pencil held obliquely and partly immersed in water appears to be bent at the water surface.
2. An object placed underwater appears to be raise.
3. A pool of water appears to be less deep than it actually is.
4. When a thick slab is placed over some printed matter, the letters appear raised when viewed from the
top.
5. A lemon kept in water in a glass tumbler appears to be bigger than its actual size, when viewed from
the sides.
6. The stars appear to twinkle on a clear night.
Laws of refraction of Light:
First law of refraction of light:
The incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal at the point of incidence, all lies in the same plane.
Second law of refraction of light:
The ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is constant for a given pair of media.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 20

LIGHT
sin 𝑖
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
sin 𝑟
Where, ‘i’ is the angle of incidence and ‘r’ is the angle of refraction.
This constant value is called refractive index (n).

Refractive Index:
The refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is given by the ratio of the speed of light in
medium 1 and the speed of light in medium 2.
𝑣
𝑛 =
𝑣
The refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is given by the ratio of the speed of light in
medium 2 and the speed of light in medium 1.
𝑣
𝑛 =
𝑣
Where, 𝑛 is the refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2;
𝑛 is the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1;
𝑣 is the speed of light in medium-1,
𝑣 is the speed of light in medium-2.
Refractive index has no unit.
When light is going from one medium to another medium, then the value of refractive index is called the
relative refractive index.
When light is going from vacuum /air to another medium, then the value of refractive index is called the
absolute refractive index or simply refractive index.
𝑐
𝑛 =
𝑣
Where nm is the refractive index of the medium,
c is the speed of light in vacuum or air,
v is the speed of light in medium.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 21

LIGHT
The value of absolute refractive index never smaller than one.
Relation between relative refractive index and absolute refractive index:
𝑛 1
𝑛 = =
𝑛 𝑛
Where, 𝑛 is the refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2;
𝑛 is the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1;
𝑛 is the absolute refractive index of medium-1,
𝑛 is the absolute refractive index of medium-2.
Spherical lens:
A lens is a piece of transparent glass bound by two spherical surfaces.
Types of lens: convex lens and concave lens
Convex lens: A lens is thick at the center but thinner at the edges (also called converging lens).
Concave lens: A lens is thin in the middle but thicker at the edges (also called diverging lens).

Optical center:
The center point of a lens is known as its optical center. It is donated by the letter ‘O’.
The optical center of a lens has a property that a ray of light passing through it does not suffer any deviation
and goes straight.
Center of curvature:
The center of the spherical surfaces of the lens are called center of curvature. It is denoted by the letter ‘C’.
Since there are two centres of curvature, we may represent them as C1 and C2.
Aperture:
The aperture of the spherical lens is the surface from which refraction of light takes place through the lens.
Principal axis:
The principal axis of a lens is a line passing through the optical center of the lens and perpendicular to the
both faces of the lens.
In general lens has two foci. The two foci of a lens are at equal distances from the optical center, one on
either side of the lens. These are denoted by the F1 and F2.
Principal focus of a convex lens:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 22

LIGHT
It is a point on its principal axis to which light rays parallel to the principal axis converge after passing
through the convex lens.
Convex lens has real focus.

Principal focus of a concave lens:

It is a point on its principal axis to which light rays, originally parallel to the principal axis appear to diverge
after passing through the concave lens.
Concave lens has virtual focus.

Focal length:
It is the distance between optical center and principal focus of the lens.
Rules for obtaining images formed by convex lenses:
Rule 1:A ray of light which is parallel to the principal axis of a convex lens, passes through its focus after
refraction through the lens.

Rule 2: A ray of light passing through the optical center of a convex lens goes straight after refraction
through the lens.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 23

LIGHT

Rule 3: Passing through a focus of a convex lens becomes parallel to its principle axis after refraction
through the lens.

Formation of different types of images by a convex lens:

S.No. Position of the Position of the Size of the image Nature of the
object image image
1. At infinity At the focus ‘F2’ Point size, highly Real and
diminished inverted
2. Beyond 2F1 Between ‘F2’ and diminished Real and
‘2F2’ inverted
3. At ‘2F1’ At ‘2F2’ Same size Real and
inverted
4. Between ‘F1’ and Beyond ‘2F2’ Enlarged Real and
‘2F1’ inverted
5. At focus‘F1’ At infinity Highly enlarged Real and
inverted
6. Between focus ‘F1’ On the same side of enlarged Virtual and
and optical center the lens as the object erect
‘o’

Ray diagrams of image formation by the convex lens at different positions of object:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 24

LIGHT

Characteristic property of convex lens:

It never forms the diminished virtual image.

Determination of the focal length of a convex lens quickly but approximately:

When the object is at Infinity, the distance of image from the lens will be equal to focal length of the lens.
This fact is used to find out the focal length of a convex lens quickly but approximately.
Uses of convex lens:
1. Convex lens are used in spectacles to correct the defect of vision called hypermetropia.
2. Convex lens is used for making a simple camera.
3. Convex lens are used making microscopes, telescopes and slide projectors.
Rules for obtaining image formed by concave lens:
Rule 1: 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.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 25

LIGHT
Rule 2: A ray of light passing through the optical center of a concave lens goes straight after passing
through the lens.

Rule 3: A Ray of light going towards the focus of a concave lens becomes parallel to its principal axis after
refraction through the lens.

Formation of different types of images by a concave lens:

S.No. Position of the Position of the Size of the image Nature of the
object image image
1. At infinity At the focus ‘F1’ Point size, highly Virtual and
diminished erect
2. Between infinity Between ‘F1’ and diminished Virtual and
and optical center and optical center erect
‘O’ ‘O’

Ray diagrams of image formation by the concave lens at different positions of object:

Characteristic property of concave lens:

It never forms the enlarged virtual image.
Uses of concave lens:
1. Concave lens are used in spectacles to correct the defect of vision like myopia.
2. Concave lens is used as eye lens in Galilean telescope.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 26

LIGHT
3. Concave lenses are used in the combination with convex lens to make high quality lens systems for
optical instruments.
4. Concave lens is used in wide angle spy holes indoors.
How to distinguish between a convex lens and a concave lens?
We keep the lens close to the page of a book and see the image of the writing of the book though it.
If the letters of the book appear enlarged, then it is a convex lens; and if the letters appears diminished, then
it is a concave lens.
Sign convention for spherical mirrors:
According to the new Cartesian sign convention:
1. All the distances are measured from the optical center of the lens.
2. Distances measured in the same direction as that of the incident light are taken as positive.
3. Distances measured against the direction of incident light are taken as negative.
4. Distances measured upwards and perpendiculars to the principal axis are taken as positive.
5. Distances measured downward and perpendicular to the principal axis are taken as negative.
The object is always placed on the left side of the lens.
All the distances measured from the optical center of the lens to the right side will be considered positive.
On the other hand, all the distances measured from optical center of the lens to the left side will be negative.
Important points regarding directions:
1. The object distance (u) is always negative.
2. If an image is formed other side of the lens, the image distance (v) is positive.
3. If an image is formed same side of the lens, the image distance (v) is negative.
4. The focal length for convex lens is positive.
5. The focal length for concave lens is negative.
6. The height of the object is always positive.
7. If an image formed above the principal axis, then its height is taken as positive (for virtual image).
8. If an image formed below the principal axis, then its height is taken as negative (for real image).
Lens formula:
The formula which gives the relationship between image distance (v), object distance (u) and focal
length of a spherical lens is known as the lens formula.
1 1 1
= −
𝑓 𝑣 𝑢

Where v= image distance

u = object distance
f = focal length

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 27

LIGHT
Linear magnification:
The ration of the height of image to the height of object is known as linear magnification.
Or
The ratio of the image distance to the object distance.
ℎ 𝑣
𝑚= =
ℎ 𝑢
Where m = magnification
hi= height of the image
ho= height of the object
v= image distance
u= object distance
Note:
1. If m has positive sign (m  +ve), then image is virtual and erect.
2. If m has negative sign (m  -ve), then image is real and inverted.
3. If m value greater than one (m > 1), the image is enlarged.
4. If m value less than one (m<1), the image is diminished.
5. If m equals to one (m =1), the image is same as that of the object.
Power of a Lens:
The measure of the degree of convergence or divergence of light rays falling on it is called power of a lens.
Or
It is also defined as the reciprocal of its focal length in metres.
1
𝑃=
𝑓
Where p = power of the lens,
f = focal length of the lens (in meters)
The unit of power of a lens is dioptre.
One dioptre is the power of a lens whose focal length is 1 meter.
The power of a convex lens is positive.
The power of a concave lens is negative.
Power of a combination of lenses:
If a number of lenses are placed in close contact, then the power of the combination of lenses is equal to the
algebraic sum of the powers of individual lenses.
Formula: 𝑃 = 𝑃 + 𝑃
Problem 1:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 28

LIGHT
A beam of light passes from air into a substance X. If the angle of incidence be 72o and the angle of
refraction be 400. Calculate refractive index of substance X. (Given: sin 720 = 0.951 and sin 400 = 0.642)
Problem 2:
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 3 x 108 m/s).
Problem 3:
If they 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?
Problem 4:
The refractive indices of kerosene, turpentine and water 1.44, 1.47, 1.33 respectively, in which of these
materials does light travel fast?
Problem 5:
Where an object should be placed so that aerial and inverted image of the same size is obtained by a convex
lens?
(a) at the focus of the lens. (b) at the twice the focal length. (c) at Infinity. (d) between the optical center
of the lens and its focus.
Problem 6:
A convex lens has focal length of 20 cm. Where an object should be placed in front of this convex lens so as
to obtain an image which is real, inverted and same size as the object? Draw the ray diagram to show the
formation of image in this case.
Problem 7:
An object is placed at the following distances from a convex lens of focal length 10cm:
(a) 8 cm (b) 15 cm (c) 20 cm (d) 25 cm,
Find the position, Size and nature of the Image.
Problem 8:
Which of the following lens would you prefer to use while reading small letters found in a dictionary?
(a) A convex lens of focal length 50 cm.
(b) A concave lens of focal length 50 cm.
(c) A convex lens of focal length 5 cm.
(d) A concave lens of focal length 5 cm.
Problem 9:
Convex lens of focal length 10 cm is placed at a distance of 12 cm from a wall. How far from the lens
should be an object be placed so as to form its real image on the wall?
Problem 10:

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 29

LIGHT
If an object of 7 cm height is placed at a distance of 12 cm from a convex lens of focal length 8 cm, find the
position, nature and height of the image.
Problem 11:
The magnification produced by a spherical lens is + 2.5 What is the nature of image and nature of lens?
Problem 12:
An object is placed at a distance of 50 cm from a concave lens of focal length 20cm . Find the nature and
position of the image.
Problem 13:
An object placed 50 cm from a lens produces a virtual image at a distance of 10 cm in front of the lens.
Draw ray diagram to show the formation of image. Calculate focal length of the lens and magnification
produced?
Problem 14:
The magnification produced by a spherical lens is +0.75. What is the nature of image and nature of lens.
Problem 15:
A convex lens of focal length 10 cm. What is its power?
Problem 16:
A myopic eye uses a concave lens of focal length 50 cm. What is the power of the lens?
Problem 17:
A thin lens has a focal length of -25 cm. What is the power of the lens and what is the nature?
Problem 18:
A power of the lens is +2.5D. What kind of lens it and what is the focal length?
Problem 19:
A lens has a power of -2.5 D. What is the focal length and nature of the lens?
Problem 20:
Find the power of a convex lens of focal length 2 metre.
Problem 21:
A convex lens forms a real and inverted image of a needle at a distance of 50 cm from the lens. If the image
is of the same size as the needle, where is the needle placed in front of the lens? Also find the power of the
lens?
Problem 22:
Two thin lenses of power + 3.5 D and -2.5 D place in contact. Find the power and focal length of the lens
combination.

MSR Tuition Point –X CLASS PHYSICS Page 30