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l, CHAPTER-IO
r LIGHT-REFLECTION
f & REFRACTION
I Light is a form of energy, which enable us to see the object.
In this chapter we will study the phenomena of reflection and refraction using
[" the property of light i.e. straight line propagation (Light wave travel from one
point to another, along a straight line).
l1 Reflection of Light
u When the light is allowed to fall on highly polished surface, such as mirror, most of
the light gets reflected.
F Laws of Reflection
normal

[I I. The angle of incidence is always equal to

angle of reflection.
Li=Lr ray

fl 2. The incident ray, reflected ray and the

normal to the reflecting surface at the
~: point of incidence lie in the same plane. Points of incidences

If Image formed by Plane Mirror (Plane reflecting surface)

Plane Mirror
ll
t
I
f
f
t l

I) '
Virtual (imagihary) & Erect (Virtual image that do not form on
l screen.)
2) Laterally inverted (The left side of object appear on right side of image)
l
3) The size of image is equal to that of object
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!.
I
4. The image formed is as for behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
Reflection of light by spherical Mirrors
Mirrors, whose reflecting surface are curved inward or outward spherically are
called spherical mirror.
~or example - Spoon} The curved surface of shinning spoon can be
considered as curved mirror.
If it is curved inward as concave mirror
If it is curved outward as a convex mirror.

Reflecting Reflecting
side side

Concave Convex
Mirror mirror
OR CONVERGING OR DIVERGING
MIRROR MIRROR

Few Basic terms related to Spherical Mirror

Radius of curvature
Principal R Concave
p
Mirror
Axis C

Radius of curvature

Principal
,+----- R
P ~f~F C
Axis
focal length
Convex
Mirror

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 I. Principal axis : Line joining the pole and centre of curvature of the
spherical mirror.
2. Pole: The geometrical central point of the reflecting spherical surface.
(aperture), denoted by (P).
3. Aperture: The width of reflecting spherical surface.
4. Centre of curvature: The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror form a part
of sphere. It has a centre, which is known as centre of curvature, denoted by
(C)
5. Radius of curvature: The separation between the pole and the centre of
curvature. [Link] PC = M
6. Focus point : The point on the principal axis, where all parallel rays meet
after reflection, denoted by (F)
7. Focal length: The length between the pole and focus point~ f
8. Relationship between focal length and Radius of curvature.
R
F= -
2
Image formation by spherical Mirror
Before we learn the formation of image or ray diagram, let us go through few tips
a) Remember, A say of light which is parallel to principle axis always pass
through focus (meet at focus) or vice-versa

t
t
CONCAVE
t MIRROR
MIRROR
1,

I
I Principal f··--- C
Axis
CONVEX MIRROR
I Appear as if coming
from focus pt in case of con vex mirror
I
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I
I
I
I
I
I
!
 Principal F''••-- C
Axis

b) A ray of light which passes through centre of curvature (it is also known as
normal at the point of incidence on spherical mirror) will retrace their path
after reflection

--------==-"<::""""---+--_...,,. ole (P)CONCAV E

MIRROR

Principal C CONVEX
Axis MIRROR

c) A ray of light falling on pole get reflected at the same angle on the other
side of principal axis.

Li=Lr

Li=Lr

F C

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Note : A ray of light passes through centre of reflecting spherical surface is
always act as normal at the point of incidence. If we know the normal we can
draw angle of incidence and angle of reflection

.,,,,
th

p C

Note : The image will only form when two or more rays meets at a point.
Image formation by a concave mirror for different position of the object
I. Object Position of Nature
At infinity [Link],_ Real and
p At focus Inverted
Size of
Image
Highly diminished
(point size)

2. Object Position of Nature

Beyond C .Image Real and
Between F&C Inverted
Size of
Image
Small
3. Object Position of Nature
AtC .Image Real and
p AtC Inverted
Size of
Image
Same Size
of object
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4. Object L.i=L.r
Between C&F Position of Nature
Real and
Beyond C Inverted
Size of Image
Enlarged

5. Object L.i=L.r
AtF Position of Nature
Real and
At (infinity) Inverted
Size of Image
Highly enlarged
A'

6. Object
Between F&P
(Special Case)

B'
Position of Image Nature
Behind the mirror Virtual
and
Size of Image Erect
Enlarged

Image formation by Convex Mirror

I. Object
At infinity

Position of Image Size of Image Nature

At focus Highly diminished Virtual & erect

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 I. Object
Anywhere between
infinity and pole
of the mirror ........ AI _.... ---~--··

--'-- - ---3*'----~~~'::1<:~-----------
B' t·•

Position oflmage Size of Image Nature

Between P & F Very small Virtual & erect

Uses of Concave Mirror

I. Used in torches, search light and headlight of vehicle.
2. Used to see large image of face as shaving mirror
3. Used by dentist to see large images of the teeth
4. Large concave mirror used to focus sunlight (heat) in solar furnaces.
Uses of Convex Mirror
I. Used as rear-view mirror in vehicles because it gives erect image. It also
helps the driver to view large area.
Sign Convention for Reflection by Spherical Mirror
I. The object is always placed to the left side of mirror.
2. All distance .should be measured from pole (P); parallel to principal axis.
3. Take 'P' as origin. Distances measured
Right of the origin (+ x - Axis) are taken positive
Left of the origin (- x-Axis) are taken negative
Perpendicular to and above principal axis (+y-Axis) are taken positive
Perpendicular to and below principal axis (-y-Axis) are taken negative

+
+y

(Cartesian system)
-X X

-y

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MIRROR FORMULA

I+ +~\ =~
f
v
u
between F and Pole
of image from Pole
of object from Pole
wher~ f= ½\ R between centre of curvature and pole.

MAGNlFICATION
It is expressed as the ratio of the height of the image to height of the object
height of image h1
-0
m = height of object = h 1
It is also related to 'u' and 'v'

8] -Q)
:. from 1and 2 equation
= .t._ = I
where h1 height from principle axis
I
.m h u . h' height from principle axis.
It magnitude m > I _ _ Image is magnified
m = 1 _ _ Image is of same size
m < 1 _ _ Image is diminished

Few tips to remember sign convention for Spherical mirror

Real - negative
Object height Q 1
positive \ \ Image heighQ Virtual• positive
Object distance from pole 0 always negative
Image distance from pole Q Real - Image always negative
j Virtual - Image lllnll)9 pesiti,e
Focal length Q Conc;ve mirror - always negative
Convex mirror - always pos1t1ve
REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Refraction of Light: Happens in Transparent medium when a light travels
from one medium to another, refraction takes place.
A ray of light bends as it moves from one medium to another

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Refraction is due to change in the speed of light as it enters from on.:::.e_ __
transparent medium to another.
Speed of light decreases as the beam of light travel from rarer medium t o ~
[Link].

normal
normal

Incident Raver medium

Ray

Denser medium Rarer medium

__ Refracted Ray
When ray trave I from Rarer to Denser it bends When ray travel from denser
towards normal after refraction to rarer medium it bends away
from normal
Some Commonly observed phenomenon due to Refraction
I. The stone at the bottom of water tub appear to be raised.
2. A fish kept in aquarium appear to be bigger than its actual size.
3. A pencil partially immersed in water appears to be displaced at the
interface of air and water.
Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab
A

Incident ray - Air (Rarer Medium)

rK---'.--------~L

Glass
(Denser
Medium)
N \,, M
Here light ray changes is ie ', Air (Rarer Medium)
direction at O and 0 1, the
point at the interface of (Refracte~ Ray)--:-+ \,,,,'\.
transparent medium. C

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When a incident ray of light AO passes from a rarer medium (air) to a denser
medium (glass) at point. 0 on interface AB, it will bends towards the normal.
At pt 0 1, on interface DC the light ray entered from denser medium (glass) 1
to
rarer medium (air) here the light ray will bend away from normal 00 is a
refracted ray OB is an emergent ray. If the incident ray is extended to C, we
will observe that emergent ray 0 1B is parallel to incident ray. The ray will
slightly displace laterally after refraction.
Note: When a ray of light is incident normally to the interface of two media it
will go straight, without any deviation.
Laws of refraction of light-
!. The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the interface of two
transparent media at the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
2. The ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a
constant i.e.
Sin i constant
Sinr (r)
for given colour and pair of media, this law is also known as Snells Law
Constant!! is the refractive index for a given pair of medium. It is the refractive
index of the second medium with respect to first medium.
Sin i n2 Where 2 is for second
Sin r =ni = n21 medium and I is for first
mcJ11,1111

Refractive Index
The refractive index of glass with respect is air is given by ratio of speed of
light in air to the speed of light in glass.
II
, Speed oflight in air c
nga = n, = Speed oflight in glass = v
8
C of light in vacuum= 3x!0m/s
•speed of light in air is marginally less, compared to that in vacuum.
Refractive index of air with respect to glass is given by
a n, Speed of light in glass V
n=

) C

g ag n
( Speed of light in air
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 The absolute refractive index of a medium is simply called refractive index

nm=
Speed of light in air
--=.i:.-=~_;.:;.;,::...;~.;c_-
Speed of light in the medium
Refractive index of water (nw) = 1.33
Refractive index of glass (ng) = 1.52
Spherical Lens
A transparent material bound by two surface, of which one or both surfaces are

0
spherical, forms a lens.
CONVEX LENS
A lens may have two spherical surfaces, bulging outwards, is
called double convex lens (or simply convex lens.
It is also known as converging lens because it converges the light.

TI
CONCA VE LENS
A lens bounded by two spherical surfaces, curved inwards is
known as double concave lens (or simply' concave lens)
It is also known as diverging lens because it diverges the light.
Few Basic Terms related to spherical lens.

---R---1-'>
Principal _______,,._--+--4--=-------,.
f~ Convex
Axis Lens
or(2F 1) Optical or(2F 2)
centre (0)

R
Optical centre (0)
Principal _ _,...,_---,,,._--~,--i,-'c......--....----- Concav•
Axis Lens

Ji

i
175 !!·I
1

', .
t
I '
. ·. r; I•,

'1 ; '
, f. • •

I
I
I,
.----- - -- - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - r - ~
e:
e
E
r;
1. Centre of curvature - A lens, either a convex lens or a concave lens has two r;:
spherical surfaces. Each of these surfaces form a part of sphere. The centre of
these two spheres are called centre of curvature represented by C, and C2. f
2. Principal axis - Imaginary straight line passing through the two centers of
curvature
£!
3. Optical Centre - The central point of lens is its optical centre (0). A ray t
of light, when passes through 'O' it remains undeviated i.e. it goes straight.
4. Aperture - The effective diameter of the circular outline of a spherical lens. C
5. Focus of lens - Beam of light parallel is principal axis, after refraction from t
I) Convex lens, converge to the point on principal axis, denoted by F,
known as Principal focus t:

Principal Axis
C:
r;
2) Concave lens, appear to diverge from a point on the principal axis, known
I,'.
as principal focus.
I,'.
Principal
C!
Axis
,;
The distarice OF 2 and OF, is called as focal length J;;
Tips for drawing Ray diagram
s;
a) After refraction, a ray parallel to principal axis will pass through F.
ft_

f;'.
_ _....,,...:;.__--1-iH----+----=:Principal
______ , F F Axis s::
0 C

(Converge) (Diverge) C

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 b) A ray passes through F, after refraction will emerge parallel to principal axis.

F2 F Principal
Principal -----+-+--~I-- Axis
XIS

c) A ray passes through optical centre 'O', passes without any deviation.

_____.___,1.:a,.~--- Principal
Axis

Image formation by a convex lens for various position of object

I. Object Position of Image Nature
At infinity At focus Real&
F2 inverted
Size of Image
Highly
diminished
(point size)
2. Object
Beyond 2F 1 Position of Image Nature
I Between F2 & 2F2 Real&
inverted
I Size oflmage
Small
I
I 3. Object
I At 2F 1
Position of Image Nature

,
I
2F2
At 2F2
Size of Image
Same size of
Real&
inverted

' A' object

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'
'
'
'
 Position of Image Nature
4. Object Real&
Beyond 2F2
Between F1 & 2F1 inverted
A. _ _ _...,_, Size of Image
Enlarged

Object Position of Image Nature

at infinity Real&
inverted
Size of Image
FF Highly Enlarged

't:~~
Size of Image Nature
6. (Special Case) Virtual &
A' Enlarged
Object Erect
Between FI and A optical
centre 'O' B'

Position of Image
On the same
side of the
object
Image formation by concave lens
Position of Image Nature
l. Object AtF1 Virtual &
Alt infinity
Size of Image Erect
Highly Diminished
2F2
2 I

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 ',
ij ,,
!

,l
•I
,. I

2. Object Position of Image Nature

Between infinity Between Fi & 0 Virtual
und optical Cel),tre .,
l,
Size of Image & Erect
(at any point):;
. . A, Very small
~-----i-,.,,,

Sign Convention for Refraction by spherical lens

Similar to that of spherical mirror, only the difference is that all the
measurement are made from optical centre 'O'
+ y-axis

0
- x-axis + x-axis

LENS FORMULA

I+ =~ - ~I 'O' centre
f - distance between F and 'O'
u - distance of object from _'O'
1 v -'distance of image froti1 'O'
r - di stance between centre
of curvature & 'O'
MAGNIFICATION
It is defined as the ratio of the height of image to the height ofobject.
1
h - image height
height of image b.'. from principal axis
111 '=

heigh! of object h O h - object height

} from principal axis
It is also related to 'u' & 'v'

GJ]-Q

I
.'
 From equation (D & (D
Irn= bh' V
= -;;-
I
If magnitude of >I
111 is magnified
m= I is of same size
m<I is diminished
Few tips to remember sign convention for spherical lens
Object height(h) always positive

Image heig@)h• Real always negative

Virtual always positive
Object distance from optical centreQu always negative
Real
Image distance from optical centre(:)
virtual - >ncga1ive

O ' Concave lens always negative

rower of Lens
The degree of convergence or divergence of light ray achieved by a lens is
known as power of a lens.
It is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length Represented by P
• It f is given in meter. then
I
P= T

DJ It f is given in cm. then

[Link]

SI unit of power of a lens is "dioptre" denoted by '[)'

I dioptre or ID is the power of lens whose local length is Im

1
~ O R I ID= lm- 1

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Power convex lens or converging lens is always positive

·.- f is +ve
F,

Power of concave lens or diverging l_~ns is always negative

~ --•fis-ve

If any optical instrument have many lens, then net power will be
I p = P1 +P2 +P3 .... 1

EXERCISE
(Question Bank)
Very Short Answers Type Questions (1 Mark)
I. If the angle of incidence is 0°, what is the angle of reflection?
2. What is the nature of image formed by concave mirror if the
magnification produced by the mirror is +3?
3. Give two uses of concave mirror?
4. Find the focal length of a convex mirror, whose radius of c_urvature is 30 cm?
5. What do you understand by magnification of a spherical mirror?
6. An object is held at the principal focus of a concave lens of focal length f.
Where the image will form?

;~
7. Show the angle of incidence and angle of refection. \

8. Complete the ray diagram.

2F
0

... 'l' J ,
t' \ :
 9. Define the SI unit of power oflens.
I0. When light undergoes refraction at the surface of separation of two
media, what happens to speed of light.
Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 Marks)
I. What do you understand by refraction of Iight. Draw the labelled ray
diagram, when ray passes through glass slab.
8
, The refractive index of glass is 1.54 and the speed of light in air is 3x I0
111/s. Calculate the speed of light in watd?
3. A convex mirror used on an automobile has a focal length of 6m. If vehicle
bd1ind is at a distance of 12m. Find the nature and location of image.
(4m, virtual erect small)
4. A concave .lens of focal length 15cm, forms an image IO cm from the
lens. How far is the object placed from the lens? Draw the ray diagram?
S. Two thin lens of power +3 .SD and - [Link] are placed in contact. Find the
power and focal length, if the lens are in combination. (p = + I0, f = Im)
6. What are the law of refraction. Define refractive index ofa medium.
Very Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)
I. Draw the ray diagram, showing the image formed by concave mirror,
when object is placed at ·
a) at infinity b) between F22F
c) At 2F d) AtF
e) between F&P
Draw the ray diagram, showing the image formed by convex lens. when
1 . object is placed at.
a) At infinity b) between F, & 2F1

c) At2F1 d) Beyond 2F1

e) betw~en F1& optical centre 'O'
3. A spherical mirror produces an image of magnification -I on a screen placed at a
distance of50 cm from the mirror. (a) Write the type of mirror (b) Find the
distance of the image fro·m the object(c) What is the focal length of the mirror? (d)
Draw the ray diagram to show the image formation

4.(i)lf the speed of light in water is 2.25X IO'm/s and the speed in vaccum is 3X 10' mis
. C'alcula1e the refractive index of water.

( ii\ The refractive index of water is 1.33 and kerosene is 1.44. Calcula1e refractive index of
the kerosene with respect to water.

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