Light reflection
When light strikes a surface, part of it is reflected into the same medium, and the rest is absorbed.
Thus, reflection is a phenomenon where light strikes a surface and is returned to the same medium.
We see due to reflection of light from various objects. Most objects absorb light, but mirrors reflect
almost all of it. They are made from few mm thick glass, with one side highly polished, and the other
side painted with a shiny, silvery substance. The backside of the painted side is covered with an
opaque coating on its back. Thus, light is reflected.
The Laws of Reflection
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
2. The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal all lie in the same plane.
Image Formation
Images form where rays meet, or appear to meet (behind the mirror), and at least 2 rays need to be
involved. A real image is produced formed by the actual intersection of rays in front of the mirror.
They can be obtained on a screen. They are inverted. Then, there are virtual images which are
formed by the apparent intersection of rays behind the mirror. They are erect. They can not be
obtained on a screen.
Position of Image
The image is always located at the same distance as the object is in front of the mirror.
In this figure (excuse the drawing), AO=IO, so AI=2AO or 2IO. This holds true for all plane mirrors.
Lateral Inversion
The interchange of left and right in the image formed by a plane mirror is called lateral inversion.
There are a few letters that are unaffected by this. They Are: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, and Y,
because they have a symmetry that runs through the midpoint o the letter.
Here are characteristics of images formed by plane mirrors.
1. Size: Same size
2. Attitude: Erect and Laterally inverted
3. Location: Behind the mirror
4. Type: Virtual
SPHERICAL MIRRORS
A spherical mirror is a reflecting surface which is part of a sphere. There are 2 types. Firstly, concave
mirrors have their outer surface painted. Secondly, convex mirrors have their inner surface painted.
Here are some terms related to spherical mirrors.
The center of curvature C is the center of the sphere of which the mirror is a part.
The radius of curvature R is the radius of the sphere of which the mirror is a part. Also
defined as distance between pole and C.
The pole is the geometric center of the mirror.
The aperture is the plane surface area of the mirror where light falls on the mirror.
The principal axis is a straight- and infinite-line joining C and P.
These mirrors follow the same rules as plane mirrors. To ensure angle I = angle r, we draw the
normal on point of incidence. Then we join it to the C. Then the reflected ray is drawn with its angle
equal to the other.
Focus and Focal Length
The focus of a concave mirror is a point on the principal axis where incident rays travelling
parallel to the principal axis converge after being reflected in front of the mirror. It is a real
focus.
The focus of a convex mirror is a point on the principal axis where incident rays travel
parallel to the principal axis converge after being reflected behind the mirror. It is a virtual
focus.
The focal length of a mirror is the distance from the focus to the mirror pole.
A perpendicular drawn through the focus is called the focal plane. All rays part of a parallel
beam will meet on this plane.
RAY DIAGRAMS 😍😍😍
Some rules before we start:
A ray passing through F is always reflected parallelly to the principal axis.
A ray travelling parallelly to the principal axis passes through focus.
A ray travelling through Center of Curvature retraces its path.
A ray incident at the pole will have an angle equal to the angle of reflection.
Some extra rules:
Draw a reasonably large principal axis, not too big or small.
Make sure you adhere to focal=Radius of curvature/2.
The Center of Curvature should always actually be the center of the mirror.
Take your radius as 4cm (preferably, this is what has worked best for me).
Diagrams:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
6.
Convex Mirrors
2.
SIGN CONVENTION
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv I need to fill this space up djbvqdifkjabdv
Mirror Formula:
where f is focal length, u is object distance and v is image distance.
Uses of Concave Mirrors
As a shaving mirror, to produce a large and erect image of the face. Since concave mirrors
produce erect images only when object is between F and P, a mirror with large aperture (to
see the whole face) and large focal length (to make sure face is always b/w F and PP is used.
A light bulb is placed at the focus of a concave mirror in head lights because the reflected
rays will meet at infinity, travelling far distances, lighting up large portions of the road.
When a parallel beam of light is incident on a concave mirror, all the rays meet at the focus.
Thus, a doctor uses a concave mirror as a head mirror to be able to concentrate light on a
certain body part.
Uses of Convex Mirrors
A convex mirror is used as a reflector in street lamps to diverge light over a large area.
A convex mirror is used as a rear view mirror for many reasons. Firstly it is small. Secondly, a
driver can view the whole traffic behind him in this small area as a virtual, erect and small
image.
No touch distinguishing
1. A mirror is plane if the image is upright, same size, and does not change in size when moved
to different distances from face.
2. If image is upright, magnified, and increases in size on small movement away from face, it is
concave.
3. If image is upright, diminished and decreases in size with small movement away from face, it
is convex.
