SHARJAH INDIAN SCHOOL, Br.
JUWAIZA
Grade : X Subject: Physics
Reflection -The bouncing back of light after striking a mirror or polished surface.
Laws of reflection
(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection ˂ i= ˂r, and
(ii) The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence, all
lie in the same plane.
Characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror
1) Image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual and erect.
2) The size of the image is equal to that of the object.
3) The image formed is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.(The distance of
the image from the mirror equals the distance of the object from the mirror.)
4) The image is laterally inverted.
Differences between real image and virtual image
Real image Virtual image
Real image can be obtained on the Virtual image cannot be obtained on the
screen screen
It is always inverted It is always erect
It is formed by the actual meeting of It is formed when reflected(or refracted)
reflected (or refracted) rays rays appear to meet when produced
backwards
Spherical mirrors
Mirrors, whose reflecting surfaces are spherical, are called spherical mirrors.
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Spherical mirrors
Concave mirror(Converging mirror ) convex mirror(Diverging mirror)
Bulging inward Bulging outward
Important terms commonly used in spherical mirrors
1) 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.
2) Centre of Curvature (C)- The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms a part of a
sphere. This sphere has a centre. This point is called the centre of curvature of the
spherical mirror (C).
3) Radius of Curvature (R)-The radius of the sphere of which the reflecting surface of a
spherical mirror forms a part, is called the radius of curvature of the mirror(R).
4) Principal axis-A straight line passing through the pole and the centre of curvature of a
spherical mirror.
5) Principal Focus (F) of concave mirrors- A number of rays parallel to the principal axis
falling on a concave mirror will meet at a point called the principal focus of the concave
mirror. This property is called converging property of a concave mirror.
6) Principal Focus (F) of convex mirrors -The rays parallel to the principal axis, falling
on a convex mirror, appear to come from a point on the principal axis. This point is called
the principal focus of the convex mirror (F).
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7) Focal length(f) The distance between the pole and the principal focus of a spherical
mirror is called the focal length (f).
8) Aperture. The diameter of the reflecting surface of spherical mirror is called its
aperture.
Relationship between the radius of curvature R, and focal length f, of a spherical
mirror.
For spherical mirrors of small apertures, the radius of curvature is found to be equal to twice
the focal length. R = 2f .
Q. The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm. What is its focal length?
Ans. Radius of curvature R=20 cm
2f = 20cm
f=20/2=10cm
Q2. Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.
Ans.
Representation of Images Formed by Spherical Mirrors Using Ray Diagrams
The intersection of at least two reflected rays give the position of image of the point
object. Any two of the following rays can be considered for locating the image.
(i)A ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, will pass through the principal focus in
case of a concave mirror or appear to diverge from the principal focus in case of a convex mirror
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(ii)A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror or a ray which is directed
towards the principal focus of a convex mirror, after reflection, will emerge parallel to the
principal axis.
(iii) A ray passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in the direction
of the centre of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is reflected back along the same
path.
(iv) A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the mirror), on the
concave mirror or a convex mirror is reflected obliquely. The incident and reflected rays follow
the laws of reflection at the point of incidence (point P), making equal angles with the principal
axis.
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Image formation by Concave Mirror- Ray diagrams
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Uses of concave mirrors
Concave mirrors are commonly used in torches, search-lights and vehicles headlights to
get powerful parallel beams of light. They 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.
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Uses of convex mirrors
Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view (wing) mirrors in vehicles. These mirrors are
fitted on the sides of the vehicle, enabling the driver to see traffic behind him/her to facilitate
safe driving.
Why do we prefer a convex mirror as a rear-view mirror in vehicles?
Ans. Convex mirrors are preferred because they always give an erect, though diminished, image.
Also, they have a wider field of view as they are curved outwards.
Sign Convention for Reflection by Spherical Mirrors
(i) The object is always placed to the left of the mirror
(ii) All distances parallel to the principal axis are measured from the pole of the mirror.
(iii) All the distances measured to the right of the origin (along + x-axis) are taken as positive
while those measured to the left of the origin (along – x-axis) are taken as negative.
(iv)Distances measured perpendicular to and above the principal axis (along + y-axis) are taken
as positive.
(v) Distances measured perpendicular to and below the principal axis (along –y-axis) are taken as
negative.
Mirror Formula and Magnification
In a spherical mirror, the distance of the object from its pole is called the object distance (u). The
distance of the image from the pole of the mirror is called the image distance (v). You already
know that the distance of the principal focus from the pole is called the focal length (f). There is
a relationship between these three quantities given by the mirror formula which is expressed as
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Magnification - The ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object.
=hi/ho
hi- height of the image & ho- height of the object
The magnification m is also related to the object distance (u) and image distance (v).
m= hi/ho = - v/u
A negative sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is real. A positive sign
in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is virtual.
Example 10.1
A convex mirror used for rear-view on an automobile has a radius of curvature of 3.00 m. If a
bus is located at 5.00 m from this mirror, find the position, nature and size of the image.
Radius of curvature, R = + 3.00 m;
Object-distance, u = – 5.00 m;
Image-distance, v = ?
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Size of the image =size of the object if m=1,
Size of the image= diminished (smaller) if m< 1
Size of the image=magnified (enlarged) if m> 1
T.B exercise problems
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