CHAPTER - LIGHT: REFLECTION AND REFRACTION
Light is a form of energy that enables us to see objects. It travels in straight lines
(rectilinear propagation).
Speed of light:
o In vacuum = 3 × 10⁸ m/s
o In other media, it slows down (e.g., glass, water).
Reflection of Light
Reflection refers to the phenomenon where light rays that strike the surface of an
object are returned into the same medium rather than passing through or being
absorbed.
When light bounces back after striking a surface, it is called reflection.
Laws of Reflection
The path of the incoming ray, the path of the reflected ray, and the
perpendicular line (normal) to the
surface at the point of incidence are
all situated in the same plane.
The angle at which the incoming light
ray impacts a surface (the angle of
incidence) is equal to the angle at
reflection) ∠i=∠r
which it bounces off (the angle of
Image Formation by Plane Mirrors
Virtual, erect, and of the same size as the object.
Laterally inverted (left appears right and vice versa).
Distance of object = Distance of image.
Spherical Mirrors
Concave Mirror (Converging Mirror):
o Curved inwards.
o Used in torches, shaving mirrors, solar concentrators.
Convex Mirror (Diverging Mirror):
o Curved outwards.
o Used in rear-view mirrors, security mirrors.
Some basic Terms Related to Spherical Mirrors
Pole (P): Center of the mirror.
Radius of Curvature (R): Radius of the
sphere from which the mirror is cut.
Focal Length (f): Distance between
pole and focus (f = R/2).
Principal Axis: Straight line passing
through pole and center of
curvature.
Image Formation by Convex Mirror
Image Formation by Concave Mirror
Uses of Concave and Convex Mirror
Concave Mirror-Reflectors in the headlights, search light in torch
Convex Mirror-Rear View in an Automobile.
Sign Conventions for Spherical Mirrors
Distances are to be
measured from the pole
(vertex) of the mirror
marked by point V in the
figure.
Distances measured along
the direction of the incident
ray are positive. The
distance measured
opposite the direction of the incident ray is negative.
Distances measured above the principal axis are positive. Distances measured
below the principal axis are negative.
Mirror Formula & Magnification
Mirror Formula:
The relationship between the object distance(u), the image distance(v) and the
focal length(f) is given by Mirror Formula.
where,
f = Focal length,
v = Image distance,
u = Object distance.
Magnification (m):
o If m is +ve → Image is virtual & erect.
o If m is -ve → Image is real & inverted.
Refraction of Light
The phenomenon of change in path of
light when it passes from one medium
to another is called Refraction.
The bending of light takes place when it
passes from one medium to another
because speed of light changes from
one medium to another. Speed of light
is different in different media.
Laws of Refraction
1. The incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal at the point of incidence
are all contained within a single plane.
2. Also known as Snell’s law.
Refraction from Rarer to Denser Medium and Denser to Rarer Medium Ray
Diagram
Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab
When light passes through a rectangular
glass slab, it undergoes refraction at both
the entry and exit faces:
1. Entry Refraction: As light enters the
glass from air, it bends towards the
normal due to the slower speed of light
in the denser glass.
2. Inside the Slab: The light travels in a
straight line within the slab, still
refracted but at an angle to the
normal.
3. Exit Refraction: Upon leaving the slab, the light bends away from the normal
as it moves back into the less dense air.
Key Points
Parallel Faces: The entry and exit rays are parallel because the angle of
incidence equals the angle of emergence.
Lateral Displacement: Although parallel, the light is displaced sideways from
its original path, depending on the slab's thickness, the angle of incidence, and
the glass's refractive index.
Refractive Index
Refractive index of a medium (n21)
The relative refractive index of a medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is the ratio
of speed of light in medium 1 to the speed of light in medium 2.
Absolute Refractive Index of a
Medium
The proportion of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a material is
called absolute refractive index of medium.
Optically denser-Greater the value of n less will be the speed of light.
Optically rarer-Lesser the value of n greater will be the speed of light
Image Formation in Spherical Lenses
(A) Rules to obtain images in Convex lens
A ray parallel to the principal axis moves
through the focal point after refraction.
A ray passing through the focal point
emerges parallel to the principal axis.
A ray through the optical center continues straight without deviation.
(B) Rules to obtain images in Concave lens
A ray passes parallel to the principal axis
diverges as if it were coming from the focal
point on the same side of the lens.
A ray directed towards the focal point
diverges parallel to the principal axis.
A ray through the optical center continues
straight without deviation.
Image Formation in Spherical Lenses
For convex lens
