Chapter Notes Light - Reflection & Refraction
Chapter Notes Light - Reflection & Refraction
Refraction
Introduction
Image is a point where at least two light rays actually meet or appear to meet.
Lateral Inversion: The right side of the object appears left side of the image and
vice-versa.
Application of lateral inversion
Spherical Mirrors
Principal axis: The line joining the pole and center of curvature.
Pole (P): The centre of the spherical mirror.
Aperture (MN): It is the effective diameter of the spherical mirror.
Center of Curvature (C): The centre of the hollow glass sphere of which the
mirror was a part.
Radius of Curvature (R): The distance between the pole and the centre of
curvature.
Focus (F): The point on principal axis where all the parallel light rays actually
meet or appear to meet after reflection.
Focal length (f): The distance between the pole and the focus.
Relationship between focal length and radius of curvature: f = R/2
Rules for making ray diagrams by spherical mirror
(i) A ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, will pass through the principal
focus in case of a concave mirror or appear to diverge from the principal focus in
case of a convex mirror.
(ii) A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror or a ray which is
directed towards the principal focus of a convex mirror, after reflection, will emerge
parallel to the principal axis.
(iii) A ray passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in
the direction of the centre of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is
reflected back along the same path.
(iv) A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the
mirror), on the concave mirror or a convex mirror, is reflected obliquely. The incident
and reflected rays follow the laws of reflection at the point of incidence (point P),
making equal angles with the principal axis.
(ii) When object is beyond ‘C’Image Position – Between ‘F’ and ‘C’Nature of image
– Real, invertedSize – Diminished
(vi) When object is between ‘P’ and ‘F’Image Position – Behind the mirrorNature
of image – Virtual, erectSize – Enlarged
Used in torches, search lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful parallel
beam of light.
Concave mirrors are used by dentists to see large image of teeth of patients.
(Teeth have to be placed between pole and focus).
Concave mirror is used as shaving mirror to see a larger image of the face.
Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in
solar furnace.
Ray diagrams of images formed by convex mirror
(ii) When object is placed between pole and infinityImage Position – Between ‘P’
and ‘F’Nature of image– Virtual, erectSize – Diminished
A full length image of a tall building/tree can be seen in a small convex mirror.