Light – Reflection and Refraction
1. Introduction to Light
Light is a form of energy that enables us to see things. Without light, vision is not
possible. Objects become visible when light reflected from them reaches our eyes. Light
travels in straight lines, a principle called rectilinear propagation. This chapter focuses on
two fundamental phenomena of light: reflection and refraction.
2. Reflection of Light
Reflection is the phenomenon where light bounces back after hitting a surface. Highly
polished surfaces like mirrors reflect most of the light.
There are two types of reflection:
- Regular Reflection: Occurs on smooth surfaces; forms clear images.
- Diffused Reflection: Occurs on rough surfaces; forms no image.
3. Laws of Reflection
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.
4. Types of Mirrors
- Plane Mirror: Flat reflecting surface. Image formed is virtual, erect, and laterally
inverted.
- Spherical Mirror: Curved reflecting surface. Two types:
a. Concave Mirror: Reflecting surface is inward.
b. Convex Mirror: Reflecting surface is outward.
5. Important Terms for Spherical Mirrors
- Pole (P): Centre of mirror surface.
- Centre of Curvature (C): Centre of the sphere from which the mirror is cut.
- Radius of Curvature (R): Distance between pole and centre of curvature.
- Principal Axis: Line joining pole and centre of curvature.
- Focus (F): Point where rays converge (concave) or appear to diverge (convex).
- Focal Length (f): Distance between pole and focus (f = R/2).
- Aperture: Width of the mirror.
6. Image Formation by Concave Mirrors
Concave mirrors form images depending on the object's position. These images may be
real or virtual, inverted or erect, magnified or diminished.
