Table of Contents
Optics ____________________________________________________________________ 2
Light _____________________________________________________________________ 3
Convergent beam of light _____________________________________________________ 5
Parallel beam of light ________________________________________________________ 6
Divergent beam of light ______________________________________________________ 6
Reflection _________________________________________________________________ 9
Laws of reflection __________________________________________________________ 11
Deviation _________________________________________________________________ 17
Minimum size of mirror______________________________________________________ 25
Number of images formed by two plane mirrors __________________________________ 28
1
Optics
The branch of Physics which deals with the study of Light and Vision is called Optics
“The sense of vision doesn’t lie in the eye rather it lies in the mind”
Optics
Geometrical Optics/ Physical Optics
Ray Optics
Idea: Rectilinear
Propagation of Light
Quantum Optics Wave Optics
Idea: Particle Nature Idea: wave Nature of
Reflection Refraction Shadow of Light Light
Formation
Interference
Photoelectric
effect
Polarization
Diffraction
2
Light
This is the form of energy which produces sensation of Vision upon hitting
your eyes
One of the interesting facts about light is that light itself is invisible although
it makes all objects visible
Light is an electromagnetic wave having wavelength ranging from 400nm to
700nm
Human eyes are not equally sensitive for all wavelengths. The variation of
sensitivity is shown below:
Sensitivity
Infra Red
400 nm 700 nm
Wavelength ()
Geometrical Optics can be looked upon as the limiting case of wave optics
when
o Size of obstacle or opening is large compared to the wavelength of light
In situation of conflict between geometrical and wave optics, conclusion from
and wave optics will dominate
3
Basic Definitions
a. Light Source:
i. The substance which emits light is called light source
ii.
Light Source
Luminous Non Luminous
iii.
Light Source
Isotropic Non Isotropic
b. Medium:
i. The substance which through which light propagates or tends to
propagate is called a medium
ii.
Medium
Transparent Opaque Translucent
4
c. Light Ray:
i. The straight line path along which light energy travels in a
homogeneous medium is called a ray
ii. A single ray cannot be isolated from a source of light
d. Light Beam:
i. A bundle or bunch of rays in called a beam
ii.
Beam
Convergent Parallel Beam Divergent Beam
Beam
Convergent beam of light
5
Parallel beam of light
Divergent beam of light
6
e. Optical Object:
i. An optical object is defined by incident rays on mirror, prism or lens or
any optical instrument
ii.
Optical Object
Real Object Virtual Object
Diverging incident rays Diverging incident
rays
7
f. Optical Image:
i. An optical image is defined by reflected or refracted rays
ii.
Optical Image
Real Image Virtual Image
Intersection is real Intersection is apparent
8
Special Points:
Real image can be obtained on screen whereas virtual image can't be
obtained on screen
Human eyes can't distinguish between real image and virtual image
Human eyes can't see virtual object
Virtual images can be photographed
Reflection
i. The phenomenon of bouncing back light energy into the same medium
when it is obstructed by same surface is called Reflection
ii.
Reflection
Regular Irregular
a) Light is reflection in well defined a) Reflected light doesn’t go in well
reflection defined direction
b) Surface is smooth b) Surface is rough
c) c)
Remarks
I. It is irregular reflection that makes an object visible from different directions
II. For image formation, reflection must be regular
III. The smoothness or roughness is decided by comparing the wavelength of
incident light and size of irregularities of surface
9
d = Size of surface irregularity
d > λ, surface is rough
d λ, surface is smooth
10
Laws of reflection
First Law:
Incident ray, normal at the point of incidence and reflected ray are coplanar and this
plane is perpendicular to the reflecting surface
Second Law:
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
11
Remarks
1. The laws of reflection are valid for any smooth surface irrespective of
geometry
2. Vector Form:
Vector form of laws of reflection:
ê 2 = eˆ1 - 2(eˆ1 .nˆ )nˆ …(1)
where eˆ1 = unit vector along incident ray
n̂ = unit vector along normal
eˆ2 = unit vector along reflected ray
From triangle law of addition of vectors
12
OP = OQ QP … (2)
OP = OP eˆ2
OQ = OQ eˆ1
QP = QP nˆ 2 QR nˆ ( ORP OQR )
From eq. (2), we get ;
OP eˆ2 = OQ eˆ1 2QR nˆ
2QR ˆ
or, eˆ2 = eˆ1 n ( OP OQ) ..(3)
OP
Also, eˆ1 .nˆ = 1.1 cos( i) cos i
QR QR
Further, cos i =
OQ OP
Substituting in eq. (3), we get;
eˆ2 = eˆ1 2(eˆ1 .nˆ )nˆ
Alternatively:
eˆ1 = e e
where e = component of ê parallel to mirror
= eˆ1 (eˆ1 .nˆ )nˆ
e = component of eˆ1 perpendicular to mirror
= (eˆ1 .nˆ )nˆ
Using remark (ii), we get ;
eˆ2 = e e eˆ1 2 nˆ (eˆ1 .nˆ )
(iv) Following vector relation is also valid in reflection
nˆ × eˆ 2 = nˆ × eˆ1
13
The above result can be extended to three plane mirrors arranged mutually
perpendicular to each other. This arrangement of three mutually perpendicular
mirrors is also known as CORNER REFLECTOR. If the incident ray is represented by
xiˆ yjˆ zk̂ then after three reflections final reflected ray is given by – xiˆ yjˆ zk̂ . We
always see our reflected image (but only upside down), independent of our position.
Example
Two plane mirrors are arranged mutually perpendicular to each other. Show that
the emergent ray is always antiparallel to incident ray.
Solution: Case I : When incident ray suffers one reflection.
In this case, incident ray will strike either of the mirror normally
and ray will be reflected back.
Case II : When incident ray suffers two successive
reflection.
From vector form of laws of reflection
eˆ2 = eˆ1 2(eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj ...(1)
Similarly, eˆ3 = eˆ2 2(eˆ2 . iˆ)iˆ ...(2)
From equation (1) and (2) we get;
eˆ3 = eˆ1 2(eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj 2[{eˆ1 2(eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj }. iˆ ]iˆ
= eˆ1 2(eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj 2(eˆ1 .iˆ)iˆ 4[(eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj.iˆ ]iˆ
= eˆ1 2[(eˆ1 . iˆ)iˆ (eˆ1 . ˆj ) ˆj ]
( iˆ. ˆj 0)
or, eˆ3 = eˆ1 2 eˆ1
or, eˆ3 = eˆ1
14
Hence, eˆ3 is antiparallel to eˆ1 .
Alternatively :
Let eˆ1 = xiˆ yjˆ
then, ê2 = xiˆ yjˆ
and eˆ3 = xiˆ yjˆ
Clearly, eˆ3 = eˆ1
Not that such a combination of mirrors is used in the construction of periscope.
Remark
The above result can be extended to three plane mirrors arranged mutually
perpendicular to each other. This arrangement of three mutually perpendicular
mirrors is also known as CORNER REFLECTOR. If the incident ray is represented by
xi+yj+zk then after three reflections final reflected ray is given by -xi-yj-zk. We always
see our reflected image (but only upside down), independent of our position
Image formed by a plane mirror
a. Point object:
15
i) MO = MI
ii) Line joining object and image is perpendicular to mirror
b. Extended object
16
Remarks:
(i) For image formation, it is not necessary that object should be present in front of
mirror.
(ii) It is not possible to locate an object by a single ray. It is for this reason that the
surface of reflecting mirror is not visible to us. Any point like A on the surface
sends only one ray AC into our eye corresponding to the incident ray OA. Rays
incident at A in directions other than OA, are reflected in other directions and do
not enter our eye. A neighbouring point B no doubt sends another ray BD, but
these rays together locate the point I (image) and not the point A or B. Therefore,
what is visible to us is I (Image) and not the surface MM.
Deviation
a. Single reflection
δ = π – 2i
17
b. Multiple reflection:
δnet = δi
Example:
Two plane mirrors are inclined to each other such that a ray of light incident on the
first mirror and parallel to the second is reflected from the second mirror parallel to
the first mirror. Determine the angle between the two mirrors. Also determine the
total deviation produced in the incident ray due to the two reflections.
Solution: From figure
3= 180º
or, = 60º
1 = 180º – 2 × 30º
= 120º
2 = 180º – 2 × 30º = 120º
Total deviation = 1 + 2
= 240º or 120º Ans.
Alternatively :
From fig. 1.24,
= 180º + = 240º anticlockwise or 120º clockwise.
3= 180º
or, = 60º
1 = 180º – 2 × 30º
= 120º
18
2 = 180º – 2 × 30º = 120º
Total deviation = 1 + 2
= 240º or 120º Ans.
Alternatively :
From figure,
= 180º + = 240º anticlockwise or 120º clockwise.
Rotation of Mirror
δ1 = π – 2 Φ
δ2 = π – 2 (θ + Φ)
Remarks:
(i) The above statement is valid for rotation of mirror about any point.
(ii) If mirror is kept fixed and incident ray is rotated, then reflected ray will rotate
in opposite sense by same angle.
(iii) If mirror and incident ray both are rotated then net rotation suffered by
reflected ray will be algebraic sum of rotation suffered by reflected ray due to
19
mirror rotation and incident ray rotation separately keeping sense of rotation
in mind.
δ1 = π – 2 Φ
δ2 = π – 2 (Φ – θ)
δ1 – δ2 = 2 θ
Note: Explain that parallel component remains unchanged and perpendicular
component reverses in direction
20
Velocity of Image
i) MO = MI
VI/M = - VI/M
┴ ┴
ii) Line joining object and image is perpendicular to mirror
VI/M = - VI/M
II II
iii)
VI/M = - VI/M + VI/M
┴
21
Show the line of motion of image in situation as shown in figure. Also, find the
velocity of image w.r.t. object
I/O = 2cosθ
22
A point object is moving with a speed v before an arrangement of two mirrors as
shown in fig. Find the velocity of image in mirror M1 with respect to image in mirror
Solution. Velocity of image in mirror M1 and M2 is as shown in fig. 1.33
v1/ 2 = Velocity of I1 w.r.t. I2
= v1 v2
or v1/2 = 2v sin Ans.
23
Example:
A point object is moving with a speed of 10 m/s infront of a mirror moving with a
speed of 3 m/s as shown in fig. 1.37. Find the velocity of image of the object with
respect to mirror, object and ground.
Solution.
VO = Velocity of object = (5 3 iˆ 5 ˆj ) m/s
VM = Velocity of mirror = 3 iˆ m/s
For component of velocity perpendicular to mirror
(V I / M ) = – (VO/ M ) = – (VO V M )
= (5 3 iˆ 3iˆ) (5 3 3)iˆ m/s
For component of velocity parallel to mirror
(V I / M ) = (VO/ M )
= VO V M
= 5 ˆj 0 5 ˆj
(V I / M ) = (V I / M ) (V I / M )
= (5 3 + 3 )iˆ 5 ˆj Ans.
Also, VI / M = VI VM
(5 3 3)iˆ 5 ˆj = V I (3 iˆ)
or, (5 3 3)iˆ 3iˆ 5 ˆj = VI
or, VI = (5 3 + 6 )iˆ 5 ˆj Ans.
24
Also, VI / O = V I VO
= (5 3 6)iˆ 5 ˆj (5 3 iˆ 5 ˆj )
= (5 3 6 5 3 )iˆ (5 5 ) ˆj
= (10 3 + 6) iˆ Ans.
Minimum size of mirror
Thought process
The rays from extreme parts of object should reach the eyes of observer after hitting
the mirror
Example
A man of height ‘h’ wishes to see his full image by using a plane mirror. Find the
minimum size of mirror required.
From Similar s M1M2E & F’H’E’
M1M2
H
=
X
2X
25
Learning points
i) Minimum size is independent of distance between man and mirror.
ii) The minimum size mirror has to be positioned in a specific way
Height of lower edge of mirror = Half of height of eye level from foot
Example:
A man standing at the centre of room wishes to see full image of wall of height ‘h’
behind him by hanging a plane mirror on front wall. Find minimum size of mirror
required.
From Similar s M1M2E & A’B’E
M1M2
H
=
X
3X
H
M1 M2 =
3
26
Note that
Height of lower edge of mirror = 2/3rd of eye level
Example:
A child is standing in front of a straight plane mirror. His father is standing behind
him, as shown in the fig. 1.113. The height of the father is double the height of the
child. What is the minimum length of the mirror required so that the child can
completely see his own image and his father’s image in the mirror? Given that the
height of father is 2H.
4H H
X = -
3 2
4H
X =
6
27
Number of images formed by two plane mirrors
2π
K = is even (2n)
θ
28
2π
K = is odd (2n)
θ
K = 2n x , 0 < x < 1
29
