Light

Running notes
What make things visible?
Seeing objects involves more than just our eyes. Light from a source strikes an object and then
reflects back into our eyes, enabling us to perceive the object. This process is fundamental to
our understanding and interaction with the world around us.

Light is defined as the electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 380 and 750
nm which is visible to the human eye.
Characteristics of light

 Light travels in a straight line.

 An electromagnetic wave is light.
 Light can also travel through the vacuum.
 Light travels without a medium since it is a transverse wave.
 It moves through the vacuum at a speed of 3×108 m/s.
 When a light goes between different mediums, its wavelength (λ) alters.
 In the universe, light moves the fastest.
 When an opaque item blocks the light source, a shadow is cast.

Properties of light:
Reflection of light: Each light obeys the law of reflection, which either stipulates that the
angle of incidence equivalent to the angle of reflection.
Refraction of light: It occurs whenever a light ray’s velocity fluctuates even though it
travels from one medium to another one. The index of refraction is a measurement of
how much light refracts.
Dispersion: Whenever white light has been sent through a prism, it divides into different
shades dependent on its own wavelength.
Diffraction: Diffraction seems to be the phenomenon of bending light across tiny
obstacle angles and therefore its penetration further into geometric extent refers.
Polarization of light: Ordinary light resonates perpendicular to the transmission of light
throughout all orientations. When light is restricted to vibrating in just one plane, it is
referred to be polarized light.
Interference of light: This would be the phenomenon of light intensity alteration caused
by the rearrangement of light sources of energy of a combination of two or more visible
light.

Rectilinear Propagation of Light

Rectilinear propagation of light means that light travels in straight lines. When light
travels from a source, like a lamp or the Sun, it moves in a straight path until it hits
something or is blocked by something.

Reflection of light:

When light hits a smooth and polished surface, like a mirror, it can bounce back. This
bouncing back of the light is called reflection. It's the reason why we can see our own
image in a mirror.

I. Laws of Reflection

1. The First Law of Reflection

a) The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.
b) The incident ray is the incoming ray of light, the reflected ray is the ray of light that
bounces off the surface, and the normal is an imaginary line perpendicular (or at a right
angle) to the surface at the point of incidence (where the light hits the surface).

2. The Second Law of Reflection

a) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The angle of incidence is
the angle between the incident ray and the normal, while the angle of reflection is the
angle between the reflected ray and the normal. This law states that the angles of
incidence and reflection are always equal.
II. Types of Reflection

1. Regular/Specular Reflection

a) This type of reflection occurs on smooth and shiny surfaces like mirrors. It produces a
clear and sharp reflection where the angles of incidence and reflection are equal.
b) Regular reflection allows us to see our reflection with high clarity.

2. Diffused Reflection

a) Unlike regular reflection, diffused reflection happens on rough or uneven surfaces.

When light hits these surfaces, it scatters in many different directions. This leads to a
hazy or blurred reflection.
b) Diffused reflection is why we can see non-shiny objects, like a book or a wall, even
though they don't produce clear reflections like a mirror.
Mirrors and Lenses

object is a thing that has physical existence while image is an optical or other

representation of a real object; a graphic; a picture.

Plane Mirrors

a) A plane mirror is a type of mirror that has a flat, smooth surface. The mirror is made
by coating a thin layer of reflective material, such as aluminum or silver, onto one side
of a flat piece of glass.
b) When you look into a plane mirror, it reflects the light that falls on it, allowing you to
see yourself or objects in front of it.
c) Plane mirrors have various practical uses. They are commonly used for personal
grooming, such as combing hair, applying makeup, or checking your appearance. They
are also used in optical instruments, such as periscopes and kaleidoscopes, and in
scientific experiments to study the reflection of light.
d) One of the interesting characteristics of a plane mirror is that it forms a virtual image.

Differences Between a Real Image and a Virtual Image(write in table

form)

Real Image

a) A real image is an image that can be projected onto a screen or a piece of paper. It is
formed when light rays actually come together at a specific point after passing through a
lens or reflecting off a mirror.
b) In other words, a real image can be captured and seen outside of our eyes. If you
were to place a screen at the location where a real image is formed, you would see a
clear and focused image on that screen.

Virtual Image

a) A virtual image is an optical illusion that appears as if it is behind a mirror or a lens,

but it doesn't actually exist in that physical space.
b) Virtual images cannot be captured on a screen or paper because they are created by
the way our eyes perceive the light rays.
c) When you look into a plane mirror, the light rays from your body or any objects in
front of it bounce off the mirror and reach your eyes. Your brain then interprets these
rays as coming from behind the mirror, creating the illusion of an image.
Characteristics of an Image Formed by a Plane Mirror

1. Virtual Image

The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual, which means it's not a real object. It's like
an optical illusion created by the reflection of light. When you look at a plane mirror, the
image you see appears to be behind the mirror, even though there's no physical object
there.

2. Laterally Inverted

Another characteristic of the image formed by a plane mirror is that it's laterally inverted.
This means the left and right sides of the image appear swapped compared to the
actual object. For example, if you raise your right hand in front of a plane mirror, the
image will show your left hand raised. It's like looking at a mirror reflection where
everything seems flipped horizontally.

3. Same Size

The image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object being reflected. If
you stand in front of a plane mirror, your reflection will have the exact height, width, and
proportions of your real self.

4. Upright

The image formed by a plane mirror is always upright, meaning it appears in the same
orientation as the object being reflected. For instance, if you hold a book upright in front
of a plane mirror, the image of the book will also appear upright.

5. Formed at the Same Distance

The image formed by a plane mirror is located at the same distance behind the mirror
as the object in front of it. This means that the distance between the mirror and the
object is the same as the distance between the mirror and the image. So, if you stand 1
meter away from a plane mirror, your reflection will appear to be 1 meter behind the
mirror.

Formation of Multiple Reflections by Plane Mirrors

a) When light reflects off a surface and forms an image, that image can act as a
new object for reflection on another surface. This process is known as multiple
reflection or successive reflections.
b) For example, if you stand in front of a mirror and see your reflection, that
reflected image can bounce off another mirror or a reflective surface. The second
mirror would then reflect the reflected image, resulting in a cascade of reflections.
 c) Each reflection produces a new image, and if there are multiple reflective
surfaces arranged in a way that allows the reflections to bounce back and forth,
you can see a series of repeated images extending into the distance

Periscope:

A periscope is defined as an instrument used for observing over, around or through an

obstacle or object which is prevented by direct line of sight. It consists of an outer case with
mirrors at each end at 45° angle. These mirrors are placed parallel to the surface.

What is a Kaleidoscope?

A kaleidoscope is an optical instrument consisting of two or more reflecting surfaces. These

surfaces are tilted towards each other at a certain angle to obtain symmetrical patterns
when viewed from the other end. The tube with reflecting surfaces consists of coloured
pieces of glass.

Dispersion
 Dispersion of Light: Dispersion occurs when light is split into its component
colors. This happens because different colors of light bend by different amounts
when passing through a medium, such as a prism. This separation of light into its
constituent colors creates a spectrum.
 Example: A common example of dispersion is the formation of a rainbow. When
sunlight passes through water droplets in the atmosphere, it disperses into its
component colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) to form a
rainbow.

Human eye:
The human eye is a spherical organ, approximately 2.3 cm in diameter, responsible for
vision. It enables us to perceive colors, depth, and details in our surroundings. Here’s
how its various parts contribute to vision:
  Cornea: Light first enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, bulging membrane
at the front.
 Iris: The iris is a dark, muscular diaphragm surrounding the pupil. It regulates the
amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.
 Pupil: This is the small opening in the center of the iris that allows light to pass through.
 Lens: Located behind the pupil, the lens helps to focus light onto the retina by adjusting
its shape for objects at different distances.
 Retina: The retina acts as the screen where images are formed. It contains
photosensitive cells known as rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to low light, enabling
vision in dim conditions, while cones are sensitive to bright light and are responsible for
color vision.
 Optic Nerve: This nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain,
allowing us to interpret and understand what we see.
Visual Defects and Braille
Visual defects can significantly impact one’s ability to see clearly. Common issues
include:

 Myopia (Nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly while close objects
are seen well.
 Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Difficulty seeing nearby objects clearly while distant
objects are seen better.
 Cataract: In older adults, the lens of the eye can become cloudy, leading to impaired
vision.
For individuals who are visually impaired or blind, the Braille system provides a
method to read and write.

 Braille: A tactile writing system consisting of patterns of raised dots. Each pattern
represents a letter, number, or punctuation mark.
 Braille Sheets: These sheets have embossed dot patterns that can be read by touch,
allowing visually impaired individuals to read and write. The system helps in
communication and access to written information for those who cannot use conventional
visual methods.