5.

1 Reflection of Light
Reflection of Light on a plane mirror
The phenomenon of reflection of light obeys the laws of
reflection:
i) the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie
on the same plane
ii) the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection,
i.e. i = r
Image form on plane mirror, convex mirror and concave
mirror is due to the reflection of light from the surface of
mirror to our eyes
The characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror:
Virtual, Upright, Laterally inverted, same size as the object
Distance of the image from the mirror is the same as the
distance of the object from the mirror
What is real and virtual image?
An image which can be formed on a screen is a real
image, whereas an image which cannot be form on to a
screen is called virtual image
A real image is formed where rays actually meet
Whereas a virtual image is formed by the apparent
intersection of rays
Ray Diagrams for Plane Mirrors
1. The reflected rays
obeys the laws of
reflection
2. Extend the reflected
rays backwards to meet
at I. This is the position
of the image

3. The rays behind the mirror do not exit. They are
virtual rays and are represented by dotted lines

Three steps to draw the position of the image
i). Locate the position of the image
ii). Locate the reflected rays
iii). Locate the incident rays
Example:
Figure below shows an ambulance car. Why the word
ambulance is purposely inverted laterally on an
ambulance car ?

Answer:
.
Images seen through the real mirror of a car is laterally
inverted
The diagram below shows student looking into a plane
mirror
The image as observed by the student is
Answers:-
C
(The image formed
is laterally inverted)

Experiment to verify angle of incidence is the same as
the angle of reflection
Experiment to determine the position of an image in a plane
mirror and to show that the image distance is equal to the
object distance
Ray box is position at a distance d
o
. The image of the bulb
in the ray box is view from position P
3
. Two pins, P
1
and
P
2
are erected in front of the mirror such that they are in
line with the image of the object (state of non- parallax).
Likewise for Q
3.
P
1
P
2
and Q
1
Q
2
respectively are extended
Example:
A candle is placed at a distance x in front of a plane
mirror. What is the distance moved by the image if
a). the candle moves toward the mirror by 1 meter
b). the plane mirror is moved towards the candle by 1
meter

Answer:
Distance moved by the image of candle, d = 1 m

Distance moved by
image, d
= 2x-2(x-1)
= 2m


[When a mirror is moved towards
the viewer at a velocity of v, the
image will move with a velocity
of 2v towards the viewer]

The figure (a) shows a light ray reflected by a plane
mirror. What is the angle of deviation of the reflected ray
in figure (b), if the mirror is rotated 10 clockwise about
point O ?

Answer:
Before rotation:
Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
=30
angle POQ = 60
After rotation of 10:
Angle of incidence =40
angle reflection =40
Angle POQ=80
angle of deviation (QOQ

) = angle POQ- angle POQ

= 80 -60
= 20
[ 2 x angle of rotation of the mirror]

[plane mirror and normal line will rotate but the incidence
angle is fixed]

Jennifer is standing at a distance of 10 m from a plane
mirror. If Jennifer and the mirror move to the left by 1 m
and 3 m respectively, what is the reduction in the
distance between Jennifer and her image?

Initially, the distance between Jennifer and her image
=10 m + 10 m = 20 m
After they moved, the distance = 10+1-3 = 8 m
Distance between she and the new image position
= 2 x 8 = 16 m. Reduction = 20-16 = 4 m
Draw and show the formation of the image I
Answer:
Common Terminology of curved mirrors
1. Centre of curvature, C: the centre of the sphere that
forms the curved mirror
2. Pole of mirror, P : The centre point of the curved mirror
3. Principal axis: A line which passes through the centre of
curvature, C and the pole of a curved mirror, P.
4. Radius of curvature, r(=CP): Distance between the pole, P
and the centre and the centre of curvature, C.
5. Principal focus, F: A point through which all rays
travelling parallel to the principal axis converge to or appear
to diverge from after reflection by the mirror.
6. Focal length, f : The distance between the principal focus,
F and the pole of the curved mirror, P.
7. Aperture of mirror: The portion of the surface of the mirror
that reflects light.
8. Object distance, u : Distance of object from the pole of the
mirror, P
9. Image distance, v : Distance of image from the pole of the
mirror, P.
Concave mirror
Rays travelling parallel to the principal axis will converge
to a point, called the real principal focus, F, on the
principal axis
Distance FP = Focal length, f
Convex Mirror
Rays travelling parallel to the principal axis appear to
diverge from a point behind the mirror.
This point is called the virtual principal focus
Relationship between the Radius of Curvature, r and the
Focal Length, f

AM, parallel to and near principal axis, AM is reflected at
M, where CM is the normal.
According to the laws of reflection: Angle i = Angle r.
AMC = MCF =, FCM is isosceles triangle and
MF = CF. Ray is parallel and M is very near to P
hence by close approximation FM FP CF= FP
Thus for concave mirror CF=FP = 1/2 PC
That is :- Focal length, f = 1/2 Radius of curvature, r

Determine the Position and Characteristics of an Image
with a Ray Diagram
Concave Mirror

1. A ray parallel to the
principal axis is reflected
to pass through F

2. A ray through F is
reflected parallel to the
principal axis

3. A ray through C is
reflected back along its
own path.

Convex Mirror


1. A ray parallel to the
principal axis is reflected
as if it came from F

2. A ray towards F is
reflected parallel to the
principal axis

3. A ray towards C is
reflected back along its
own path

Formation of Image
1. A point where any of the two construction lines
crossed or intersected is the position of the image formed
by the curve mirror.
2. Any two of the rays 1, 2 and 3 are sufficient to
determine the position of the image.

Steps For Drawing Ray Diagram
1. Draw a horizontal line to represent the principal axis
and a curve line to represent a curve mirror. A dotted
vertical line is drawn at the pole of the curve mirror to
represent the construction line
2. Mark the position of F and C on the principal axis.
Make sure CF=FP
3. Draw an arrow as object standing upright on the
principal axis at a given distance from the mirror. This is
the object distance, u
4. Draw rays coming from the top of the object using
any 2 of the 3 construction rules {a. Ray that is parallel
to the axis, b. Ray passes through the focus, F, c. Ray
passes through the centre of curvature, C}

5. The top of the images is
where the two reflected rays
meet again after reflection. Use
arrows to indicate the direction
of the rays
6. Draw the image as a vertical arrow with its tail on the
principal axis and the head at the point where the two
reflected rays meet. The distance between the image and
the mirror is the image distance, v.
Characteristic of the image formed:
a). real or virtual
b). inverted or upright
c). magnified, diminished or of the same size.

Dotted lines are used for extending rays in backwards
behind the mirror to locate the virtual image.

A virtual image is also drawn using dotted line with an
arrow

Images Formed by a Concave Mirror
a). Object is between F and P

virtual
upright
magnified
behind the mirror
Application: Make-up
mirror, shaving mirror

b). Object is at F
virtual
upright
magnified
at infinity
Application: Reflector to
produce a parallel beam
of light rays (spot light)
c). Object between F and C

real
inverted
magnified
Beyond point C

d). Object at C
Real
inverted
same size as object
At C
Application:- Reflector in
a projector

e). Object is beyond C
f). Object at infinity
real
inverted
diminished in size
between C and F
real
inverted
diminished in size
at F
Application:-Reflecting
telescope (To form the first
image of a distant object)
Image Formed by a Convex Mirror
a). Object at a point beyond F
b). Object at a point before F

c). Object at infinity

The characteristic of an image, formed by a convex
mirror are:
a). virtual
b). upright
c). diminished in size
d). the image is seen at a distance v f behind the
mirror for all positions of the object. (v is negative)

Applications of reflection of light
Plane Mirrors
1. Mirror Periscope

2. Anti-parallax Mirror
in Ammeters/Voltmeters

3. Rear View Mirrors of Cars

Reflection of light on Curved Mirrors
Concave mirror with long focal
lengths can be used as shaving mirrors
or make-up mirrors and as they
produced magnified and upright
images.
Concave mirror also used by dentist
Parabolic mirrors (concave) are used in torches and car
headlamps as reflector.
A small lamp that is placed at the focus of the mirror
produces a parallel beam

Convex mirror are used as rear-view mirrors in
motor vehicle.

A convex mirror has a wider view than a plane mirror. It
is also used as shop security mirrors.

Example
You are given 3 mirrors- a plane mirror, a concave
mirror, and a convex mirror. Which mirror can be used
to ignite a match head? Explain your choice

Answer:

Sunlight will be converged
at the focus point, when the
match head is placed at the
focus of the concave mirror
it will get heated up and
ignited.

Explain the difference between the images formed
a). Holding a shiny spoon with its back facing your eyes at
a distance of approximately half a metre from your eyes
b)holding the other side of the spoon facing you

Answer:
For the back of the spoon image is upright for the other
side the image is inverted
(Back of the spoon is similar to a convex mirror)



The radius of curvature of a concave mirror is 20 cm. At
what distance must an object be placed to produce
a). an image of the same size?
b). an image at infinity?

Answer:
a). v = 20 cm
b). v = 10 cm

Based on the diagram below:
a). Draw the reflected rays of P, Q, and
b). State the nature of the image formed
c). What will happen to the image if the object is moved
away from the mirror?
Answer:
b). The image is real, inverted and magnified.
c). The image moves towards mirror and become smaller
and smaller
a)
Based on the diagram below:
a). draw the reflected rays
b). Where is the image located?
c). What is the characteristic of the image?

Answer:
b). Image is located at F
c). Image is virtual, upright and diminished

a)