Light Reflection and Refraction

Light is a form of energy which is propagated as electromagnetic waves. It does not

require any medium for its propagation in solid, liquid or gases. The speed of light in vacuum
is 3x10 8m/s. The speed of light in vacuum is greater than speed of light in medium.

Reflection of lights
A highly polished surface which reflects most of the light falling on it is called a mirror.
Q1. What are the laws of reflection?

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection and

The incident ray, the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence and reflected ray, all lie
in the same plane.

Q2. What are the characteristic of the image formed by a plain mirror?

Image formed by a plain mirror is always virtual and erect.

The size of the image is equal to that of the object.
The image formed is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
The image is laterally inverted.

Real image:a.

A real image is formed when two or more reflected rays intersect each other at a point in
front of a mirror.
b. It can be obtained in a screen
c. It is inverted with respect to the object

Virtual Image:a.

A virtual image is formed when two or more reflected rays appear to intersect at a point
behind a mirror.
b. It cannot be obtained on a screen
c. It is erect with respect to the object

Spherical mirror
The mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are spherical are called spherical mirror. Spherical mirrors
are two types. Concave mirror and convex mirror.

Concave mirror:A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is curved inwards that is faces towards the center of
the sphere is called a concave mirror.

Convex mirror:A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surfaces is curved outwards is called a convex mirror.
Define the following terms for a spherical mirror.
1.
2.

3.

4.
5.

6.

7.

8.

Pole - The center of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is a point called the pole. It is
represented by the letter P.
Center of curvature: - The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms a part of a sphere. This
sphere has a center. This point is called the center of curvature of the spherical mirror. It is
represented by the letter C.
Radius of curvature: - The radius of the sphere of which the reflecting surface of a spherical
mirror formed a part is called the radius of curvature of the mirror. It is represented by the
letter R
Principal axis: - The imaginary line passing through the pole and the center of curvature of a
spherical mirror is called the principal axis.
Principal focus of a concave mirror: - When a number of rays parallel to the principal axis fall on
a concave mirror, after reflecting they all intercept a point on the principal axis. This point is
called the principal focus of the concave mirror. [Figure page no:162 a]
Principal focus of a convex mirror: - When a number of rays parallel tot eh principal axis fall on
a convex mirror, the reflected rays appear to come from a point of the principal axis. This point
is called the principal focus of the convex mirror. [Figure page no:162 b]
Aperture: - The effective width (distance) of the spherical mirror from which the reflection of
light can take place is called aperture. It is denoted by MN. The aperture of a mirror represents
the size of the mirror.
Focal length: - The linear distance between the principal focus and the pole is called the focal
length. It is denoted by the letter f

Relation connecting radius of curvature focal length of a spherical mirror:For a spherical mirror of small aperture, the radius of curvature is found to be equal to twice the
focal length.

R = 2f
f = R/2