1
Light Reflection and Refraction
Light is the form of energy that enables us to see.
Properties of Light
1.Light does not need a medium to travel (Electromagnetic wave)– Unlike sound, which
needs air or water to move, light can travel even in empty space. This is why we can see the
Sun and stars from Earth.
2.Light moves in a straight line – If you shine a torch in a dark room, you will notice the
beam goes in a straight direction. This is called the rectilinear propagation of light.
3.Light has two natures – It behaves like both a wave and a tiny particle. Scientists call this
the dual nature of light.
Simpler Explanation:
1. Diffraction through Small Holes – When light passes through a tiny hole or edge, it
spreads out, just like water waves spreading after passing through a narrow gap.
2. Photoelectric Effect in Solar Panels – Sunlight is made of tiny energy packets
(photons). When these hit solar panels, they push out electrons, creating electricity.
4.Light creates shadows – When light cannot pass through an object, it forms a dark shape
behind it. This is called a shadow.
5.Light is fastest in vacuum – Nothing can travel faster than light in space. Its speed is 3 ×
10⁸ meters per second (which means it can go around Earth about 7 times in one second!).
6.When light hits a surface, three things can happen:
○ Reflection – Light bounces back, like in a mirror.
○ Refraction – Light bends when it passes through glass or water.
○ Absorption – Some surfaces, like black clothes, absorb light instead of
bouncing it back.
Sources of light
● Self Luminous
These sources emit light of their own. eg. Sun, StarsCandles etc.
● Non-Luminous
These sources does not emit light of their own. eg: The moon, book, table etc.
Medium of Light
The medium of light is the substance through which light travels or tries to travel.
1.Transparent Medium – A medium that allows light to pass completely through it.
Example: Air, clear glass.
2.Translucent Medium – A medium that allows light to pass partially, scattering it in different
directions. Example: Frosted glass, butter paper.
3.Opaque Medium – A medium that does not allow light to pass through. Example: Metals,
wood.
Ray of Light
A ray of light is a straight path along which light travels from one point to another. It is
represented by a straight line with an arrow showing the direction of light.
Beam of Light
A beam of light is a collection (bundle) of light rays traveling together in a particular direction.
Types of Beams of Light:
1. Parallel Beam – All rays move parallel to each other. Example: Sunlight reaching
Earth.
2
2. Convergent Beam – Rays move towards a single point. Example: Light focused by a
magnifying glass.
3. Divergent Beam – Rays spread out from a single point. Example: Light from a torch
or a candle.
Reflection of Light
Bouncing back of light when it strikes on a polished surface like a mirror.
Types of Reflection
Reflection of light can be of two types:
1. Regular Reflection (Specular Reflection)
○ Occurs on smooth, shiny surfaces like mirrors.
○ The reflected rays remain parallel, forming a clear image.
○ Example: Reflection in a plane mirror.
2. Diffuse Reflection (Irregular Reflection)
○ Occurs on rough or uneven surfaces like paper or walls.
○ The reflected rays scatter in different directions, so no clear image is formed.
○ Example: Light reflecting off a rough road or a wall.
Mirrors
3
Mirrors are surfaces that reflect light to form images. They can be plane or spherical.
1. Plane Mirror
● A flat mirror that reflects light in the same order it is received.
● Image formed is laterally inverted (left appears right and vice versa).
● The size and distance of the image are the same as the object.
2. Spherical Mirrors
These mirrors are shaped like a cut-out section of a sphere, with one side polished.
Types of Spherical Mirrors:
A.Concave Mirror (Converging Mirror)
○ The outer side is polished, and the inner side reflects light.
○ Used in torches, headlights, and shaving mirrors.
B.Convex Mirror (Diverging Mirror)
○ The inner side is polished, and the outer side reflects light.
○ Used in rear-view mirrors of vehicles.
Images
An image is the point where reflected or refracted light rays meet or appear to meet.
Types of Images:
1. Real Image
○ Formed when light rays actually meet after reflection or refraction.
○ Can be captured on a screen.
○ Always inverted (upside down).
○ Example: Image formed by a concave mirror when the object is beyond the
focus.
4
2. Virtual Image
○ Formed when light rays appear to meet but do not actually do so.
○ Cannot be captured on a screen.
○ Always erect (upright).
○ Example: Image in a plane mirror or convex mirror.
Important Terms
●Pole (P): The midpoint of a spherical mirror.
● Centre of curvature (C): The centre of the sphere that the spherical mirror was a part of.
●The radius of curvature (r): The distance between the pole and the centre of curvature.
● Principal Axis: The line joining the pole and center of curvature.
● Focus (F):The point on principal axis where all the parallel light rays actually meet or
appear to meet after reflection.
● Focal length (f): The distance between the pole and the focus.
●Aperture (m m,):The diameter of the reflecting surface of the spherical mirror.
●Concave Mirror: A spherical mirror with the reflecting surface that bulges inwards.
●Convex Mirror: A spherical mirror with the reflecting surface that bulges outwards.
●Rectilinear Propagation of Light: means that light always travels in a straight line
unless it is reflected, refracted, or blocked by an object.
●Incident Ray: The incoming ray of light that strikes the surface is called the incident ray.
●Reflected Ray: The ray that bounces off the surface is called the reflected ray.
●Normal: The imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence is called
the normal.
●Lateral Inversion:A phenomenon where an image appears reversed from left to right. This
effect is commonly seen in mirrors, where your right hand appears as the left hand in the
mirror image.
