Light – Reflection and Refraction

Properties of Light
Light travels in a straight line. This is
called rectilinear propagation of
light.
The straight line path followed by
light is called as Ray of Light.
A collection of many rays of light is
called as beam of light.
 Types of Beam of Light

Parallel beam :

Convergent beam :

Divergent beam :
 Sources of Beam of Light
Parallel beam : 1. A Source at infinity (Sun)
2. A source at more than 10-12
times the focal length of a lens or
mirror.
3. Laser Torch

Convergent beam: A convex lens or a concave

mirror

Divergent beam: A Point Source, A Concave lens,

Convex mirror
Light is an Electromagnetic Wave.

Like all other waves, it too have

wavelength and frequency.
Wavelength of Light - 4 x 10-7 m - 8 x 10-7
m
400 nm - 800 nm
4000 Å - 8000 Å

Angstrom (Å) = 10-10 m

nanometre (nm) = 10-9 m

Frequency of Light - 8 x 1014 Hz - 4 x 1014

Hz
Different wavelengths of Light give rise to
different colurs.
Colour Wavelength Frequency

Violet 3.8 – 4.0 x 10-7 m 7.8 – 6.6 x 1014 Hz

Indigo 4.0 – 4.5 x 10-7 m

Blue 4.5 – 5 x 10-7 m 6.6 – 5.9 x 1014 Hz

Green 5 – 5.7 x 10-7 m 5.9 – 5.2 x 1014 Hz

Yellow 5.7 – 5.9 x 10-7 m 5.2 - 5.1 x 1014 Hz

Orange 5.9 – 6.2 x 10-7 m 5.1 – 4.8 x 1014 Hz

Red 6.2 – 7.8 x 10-7 m 4.8 – 3.8 x 1014 Hz

Speed of Light is maximum speed possible in
this universe. It is 3 x 108 m/s or 3 x 105 km/s
in vacuum.

This numerical value is represented by ‘c’

So, c = 3 x 108 m/s

Note: Exact value of speed of light in vacuum

is 2.99792458 x 108 m/s
 Reflection of Light
Phenomenon of bouncing of light from any
surface is called reflection of light.

Regular reflection – From the very smooth,

shining surfaces like mirror, polished metal,
water surface etc.

Diffused Reflection – From all uneven surfaces.

 Laws of reflection of Light
(i) The angle of incidence is equal to
the angle of reflection
i.e. / i = / r

(ii) The incident ray, the normal to the

mirror at the point of incidence and
the reflected ray, all lie in the same
plane.
Laws of reflection
 Laws of reflection

These laws of reflection are applicable to all

types of reflecting surfaces including
spherical surfaces.
What is the angle of incidence of a ray if
the reflected ray is at an angle of 90° to the
incident ray?
Ans: 45o
Two mirrors meet at right angles. A ray of
light is incident on one at an angle of 30° as
shown in figure. What angle the reflected
ray from the second Mirror would make
with normal?
Ans: 60°
Light is falling on surface S1, S2, S3 as shown
below:
Surfaces on which the angle of incidence is
equal to the angle of reflection is/are

● (a) S1 only
● (b) S1 and S2 only
● (c) S2 and S3
● (d) all the three surfaces
Ans: (d) all the three surfaces
What would be the angle of incidence and
angle of reflection for a ray which is incident
on a mirror at 90o?
Ans: 0o
What would be the angle of incidence and
angle of reflection for a ray which is incident
on a mirror at an angle 90o with normal?
Ans: Reflection of light is not possible.
Reflection by spherical mirrors
 Terms for a spherical mirror

1. Aperture
2. Pole
3. Centre of curvature
4. Radius of curvature
5. Principal axis
6. Focus
7. Focal length
 Aperture

It is the diameter of the reflecting surface of

a spherical mirror.
 Pole

The centre of the reflecting surface of a

spherical mirror is a point called the pole. It
lies on the surface of the mirror. The pole is
usually represented by the letter P.surfaces.
 Centre of curvature

The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror

forms a part of a sphere. This sphere has a
centre. This point is called the centre 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
forms a part, is called the radius of
curvature of the mirror. It is represented by
the letter R.
 Principal axis

An imaginary straight line passing through

the pole and the centre of curvature of a
spherical mirror, is called the principal axis.
The principal axis is normal to the mirror at
it pole.
 Focus of concave mirror

A point at which the parallel rays converge

after getting reflected from a concave
mirror is called the focus of the concave
mirror.
 Focus of convex mirror

A point at which the parallel rays reflected

from a convex mirror, appear to converge if
they are extended backwards, is called the
focus of the convex mirror.
 Focal length

Distance between the focus and pole of the

mirror is called it's focal length. It is
represented by the letter f.

A concave mirror has a real focus and it's

focal length has negative sign.
A convex mirror has a virtual focus and it's
focal length has positive sign.
 Aperature

The diameter of the reflecting surface of

spherical mirror is called its aperture.
 Relationship between the radius
W of curvature R, and focal length f

For a spherical mirrors of small apertures, the

radius of curvature is found to be equal to
twice the focal length.
R = 2f
It means the principal focus of a spherical
mirror lies midway between the pole and
centre of curvature.
 Numerical
1. A spherical mirror has radius of curvature
18 cm. What is the focal length of the
mirror?
2. Distance between the centre of curvature
and focus of a convex mirror is 15 cm.
What is the focal length of the mirror?
3. A concave mirror focuses parallel rays 20
cm away from the pole. What is the radius
of curvature of the mirror?
Light ray reflected by a concave
mirror

Rules to draw ray diagram

A ray of light which is parallel to the
principal axis of the concave mirror passes
through its focus after reflection.
A ray of light passing through the centre of
curvature of the concave mirror is reflected
back along the same path.
A ray passing through principal focus of a
concave mirror becomes parallel to the
principal axis after reflection
A ray incident on the pole of the is reflected
to the other side of the principal axis with an
equal angle.
Images by a concave mirror
Real image by a concave mirror
Real image by a concave mirror
Light ray reflected by a convex
mirror

Rules to draw ray diagram

Images by a convex mirror
Virtual image by a convex mirror
New cartesian sign convention
(i) All distances are measured from the pole.
(ii) The distances measured in the direction
of the incident ray are taken positive.
(iii) The distances measured in the opposite
direction of incident ray are taken negative.
(iv) Heights measured upwards are taken
positive.
(v) Heights measured downwards are taken
negative.
 CONCAVE MIRROR CONVEX MIRROR

Object distance: u = - Sign u = - Sign

Focal length: f = - Sign f = + sign

Image distance: v = + sign (never forms real image)

v = - sign for real image
v = + sign for virtual image

Radius of curvature: R = + sign

R = - sign

Magnification: m = + sign (never forms real image)

m = - sign for real image
m = + sign virtual image

Object height h, ho, O = + sign h, ho, O = + sign

Image height: h’, hi, I = + sign (never forms real

h’, hi, I = - sign for real image image)
h’, hi, I = + sign for virtual image
Mirror formula
 Linear Magnification

1. For a real image, m has negative sign

2. For a virtual image, m has positive sign
Numerical
A 1.2 cm long pin is placed perpendicular to
the principal axis of a convex mirror of focal
length 12 cm, at a distance of 8 cm from it.
Find the location of the image.

An object is placed in front of a convex

mirror of radius of curvature 40 cm at a
distance of 10 cm. Find the position, nature
and magnification of mirror.
 Answer

1. v = + 24/5 cm = + 4.8 cm

1. Position v = + 20/3 cm
Size m = + 2/3
Nature = virtual, Diminished
An object is kept in front of a concave mirror
of focal length of 15 cm. the image formed is
3 times the size of the object. Calculate the
two possible distances of the object from the
mirror.
 Answer

1. If m= - 3, v = -20 cm

2. If m = +3, v = -10 cm
Refraction of Light
 Refraction in nature

The floor of a swimming pool appears

to be shallow or raised.
 Refraction in nature

An object which is partly immersed in

water appears to be displaced at the
interface of air and water.
When light travels from one
transparent medium to another, it
undergoes following two changes:
1. Change in the speed
2. Change in the direction from its
rectilinear path.
This phenomenon is known as
refraction of light.
Refraction through a Rectangular
Glass Slab
Refraction through a Rectangular
Glass Slab
 Cause of Refraction
The refraction of light is due to the
change in the speed of light on
going from one medium to another
medium.

Greater the difference in the speed of

light in the two media, more will be
the bending of light and higher the
amount of the refraction.
 Condition of No deviation

1. If a ray of light is incident normal

to the boundary (i = o), then it
passes undeviated (No bending).

2. If the refractive indices of two

media are equal, then also the
light ray is not deivated .
Refraction though a Glass slab
 Refraction though a Glass slab
During the refraction of light
through a glass slab;

1. Emergent ray is parallel to the

incident ray.
2. Angle of incidence is equal to the
angle of emergence.
 Lateral shift

The distance between incident ray

and emergent ray.
 Factors of lateral shift
1. Angle of incidence.

2. The wavelength of light

3. Width of the glass slab

4. Refractive index of the glass

slab.
 Laws of refraction of light

1. The incident ray, the refracted ray

and the normal at the point of
incidence, all lie in the same plane.
 Laws of refraction of light

2. The ratio of sine of angle of

incidence to the sine of angle of
refraction is a constant for the light
of a given wavelength and for the
given pair of media.
This law is also known as Snell’s law
of refraction.

If i is the angle of incidence and r is

the angle of refraction, then,
This constant value is called the
refractive index of the second
medium with respect to the first.
 Relative Refractive Index

Relative refractive index of medium 2 with

respect to medium 1 = n21.
 Refractive Index

n21 = Sin i = v1 = n2
Sin r v2 n1
 Absolute Refractive Index

Absolute refractive index with respect to

vacuum or air, n2.

The absolute refractive index of a medium is

simply called its refractive index.
Absolute Refractive Index
 Types of media
1. Optically denser medium: A medium in
which the light travels comparatively
slower than the other medium and it
deviates towards the normal.

2. Optically rarer medium: A medium in

which the light travels comparatively
faster than the other medium and it
deviates away from the normal.
 Changes in light ray during
refraction

1. Change in its direction. (If incident

obliquely)

2. Change in its speed.

3. Change in its wavelength.

4. No change in its frequency.

 Numericals

1. Speed of light in glass is 2 X 108 m/s. Find the

refractive index of glass.

2. If absolute refractive index of water is 4/3 and

that of glass is 3/2. Find the refractive index of glass
with respect to water.

Ans:. 1. 1.5. 2. 9/8

Images formed by a Lens
Lenses
 Terms for a Lens

1. Aperture
2. Optical Centre O
3. Principal axis
4. Focus F1 , F2
5. Focal length f
 Optical Centre

Mid point of the line dividing lens into two

equal parts.
 Focus of a Convex Lens

Point, at which all parallel rays converge after

passing through the convex lens.
 Focus of a Concave Lens
When parallel rays pass through a concave
lens, they diverge. When these diverged rays
are extended backwards, they all appear to
converge at an imaginary point, called focus
of the concave lens.
 First principal focus of a lens

Light rays from first principal focus meet at

infinity.
 Second principal focus of a lens
Light rays from infinity converge or appear to
converge at second principal focus.
 Focal length
Distance of focus from optical centre.

Convex lens - Positive focal length

Concave lens - Negative focal length

Light ray refracted through a
convex lens

Rules to draw ray diagram

Images by a convex lens
Light ray refracted through a
concave lens

Rules to draw ray diagram

Images by a concave lens
Sign Convention
All distances on the principal axis are measured from the optic
center.

All distances measured above the principal axis are taken as

positive. Thus, height of an object and that of an erect image are
positive and all distances measured below the principal axis are
taken as negative.

The distances measured in the direction of incident rays are taken as

positive and all the distances measured in the direction opposite to
that of the incident rays are taken as negative.
 Lens formula

Where, f = focal length

u = Object distance
v = Image distance
 Important

1. Focal length of concave lens

has negative sign whereas
convex lens has positive sign.
2. Object distance for both the
lenses has negative sign.
 Important

3. Image distance of a real image

has positive sign.

4. Image distance of a virtual

image has negative sign
 Linear Magnification

1. For a real image, m has

negative sign
2. For a virtual image, m has
positive sign
 CONVEX LENS CONCAVE LENS

Object distance: u = - Sign u = - Sign

Focal length: f = + Sign f = - sign

Image distance: v = - sign (never forms real image)

v = + sign for real image
v = - sign for virtual image

Magnification: m = + sign (never forms real image)

m = - sign for real image
m = + sign virtual image

Object height h, ho, O = + sign h, ho, O = + sign

Image height: h’, hi, I = + sign (never forms real

h’, hi, I = - sign for real image image)
h’, hi, I = + sign for virtual image
Numerical
1. An object 60cm from a lens gives a virtual
image at a distance of 20cm in front of
the lens. What is the focal length and
type of the lens?
2.
A 4cm tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal
axis of a convex lens of focal length 20cm. If the
distance of the object is 30cm from the lens, find the
position, nature and size of the image. Also find its
magnification.
1. Focal length = -30 cm, Type - concave lens

2.
v=60cm, hi= -8cm, inverted, m= -2
Power of a Lens
Shorter the focal length of a
lens, higher is the power and
vice-versa.
The power of a lens is the
measure of its ability to
converge or diverge the light rays
falling on it.
Definition : the power of a lens is
defined as the reciprocal of its
focal length.

or, P = _1_
f
 S.I. Unit of power of a lens

S.I. unit of power is dioptre (D)

1 D = 1/m or m-1

(If focal length of a lens is given

in cm, convert it in metre to put
in the formula)
 Sign of the power of a lens

The power of a convex lens -

positive sign

Power of a concave lens -

negative sign.
 1. A convex lens is of focal
length 10 cm. What is its power?

2. The power of a lens is -4D.

What is its focal length?
1. Ans: Power = +10 D

2. Ans: -0.25 m or -25 cm.

 3. Calculate the power of the
combination of concave lens of
focal length 50 cm and a convex
lens of focal length 2 m.

2. The power of a combination of

two lenses is -4D. If focal length
of one of the lens is 40 cm,
calculate the focal length of the
other lens.
3. Ans: Power = - 1.5 D

2. Ans: -2/13 m.