STD-X

LIGHT
REFLECTION
EXTRA QUESTIONS

1.A ray of light is incident normally on a plane mirror. What will be the :
(a) angle of incidence ?
(b) angle of reflection ?
Solution :
(a) 0°
(b) 0°

2.What type of image is formed :

(a) in a plane mirror ?
(b) on a cinema screen ?
Solution :
(a) Virtual image
(b) Real image

3.What is lateral inversion ? Explain by giving a suitable example.

Solution :
When an object is placed in front of a plane mirror, then the right side of the object appears to
become the left side of the image; and the left side of the object appears to become right side of
the image. This change of the sides of an object and its mirror image is called lateral inversion.
Ex-If we raise left hand infront of a mirror,it appears right and vice versa.

4.What is the difference between regular reflection of light and diffuse reflection of light ? What
type of reflection of light takes place from :
(a) a cinema screen (b) a plane mirror (c) a cardboard (d) still water surface of a lake
Solution :
In regular reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one
direction; while in diffuse reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different
directions.
(a) Regular reflection
(b) Regular reflection
(c) Diffuse reflection
(d) Regular reflection

5.What is meant by ‘reflection of light’ ? Define the following terms used in the study of reflection
of light by drawing a labelled ray-diagram :
(a) Incident ray
(b) Point of incidence
(c) Normal
(d) Reflected ray
(e) Angle of incidence
(f) Angle of reflection
Solution :
The process of sending back the light rays which fall on the surface of an object is called
reflection of light.

(a) Incident ray: The ray of light that falls on the mirror surface is called the incident ray.
(b) Point of incidence: The point at which the incident ray falls on the mirror is called the point of
incidence.
(c) Normal: The normal is a line at right angle to the mirror surface at the point of incidence.
(d) Reflected ray: The ray of light which is sent back by the mirror is called the reflected rays.
(e) Angle of incidence: The angle of incidence is the angle made by the incident ray with the
normal at the point of incidence.
(f) Angle of reflection: The angle of reflection is the angle made by the reflected ray with the
normal at the point of incidence.

6.State and explain the laws of reflection of light at a plane surface (like a plane mirror), with the
help of a labelled ray-diagram.
Solution:
First Law-The incident ray,reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence lie on the same
plane.
Second Law-The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

7.State the characteristics of the image formed in a plane mirror.

Solution:
Characteristics of image formed in a plane mirror:
(i) The image formed in a plane mirror is virtual. It cannot be received on a screen.
(ii) The image formed in a plane mirror is erect. It is the same side up as the object.
(iii) The image in a plane mirror is of the same size as the object.
(iv) The image formed by a plane mirror is at the same distance behind the mirror as the object
is in front of the mirror.
(v) The image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted.

8.Name the spherical mirror which has :

virtual principal focus.
real principal focus.
Solution :
(a) Convex mirror (b) Concave mirror

9.Find the focal length of a concave mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.
Solution :
Radius of curvature (R) = 32cm
Focal length (f) = ?
We know that
f = R/2
=32/2
f = 16cm

10.What is a spherical mirror ? Distinguish between a concave mirror and a convex mirror.
Solution :
A spherical mirror is that mirror whose reflecting surface is the part of a hollow sphere of glass.
The spherical mirrors are of two types: concave mirrors and convex mirrors.
Difference between concave mirror and convex mirror:
A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflection of light takes place at concave
surface (or bent-in surface), whereas a convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the
reflection of light takes place at the convex surface (or bulging out surface).
Concave mirror converges the parallel rays of light that fall on it, whereas convex mirror
diverges the parallel rays of light that fall on it

11.Define (a) centre of curvature (b) radius of curvature (c) pole (d) principal axis, and (e)
aperture, of a spherical mirror with the help of a labelled diagram.
Solution:
(a) Centre of curvature: Centre of curvature of a spherical mirror is the centre of the hollow
sphere of glass of which the mirror is a part.
(b) Radius of curvature: Radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is the radius of the hollow
sphere of glass of which the mirror is a part.
(c) Pole: The centre of a spherical mirror is called its pole.
(d) Principal axis: The straight line passing through the centre of curvature and pole of a
spherical mirror is called its principal axis.
(e) Aperture: The portion of a mirror from which the reflection of light actually takes place is
called the aperture of the mirror.

12.(a) Define (i) principal focus of a concave mirror, and (ii) focal length of a concave mirror.
Solution:
(a) (i) Principal focus of a concave mirror: The principal focus of a concave mirror is a point on
its principal axis to which all the light rays which are parallel and close to the axis, converge
after reflection from the concave mirror.
(ii) Focal length of a concave mirror: The focal length of a concave mirror is the distance
between its pole and the principal focus.
13. What is meant by (i) principal focus of a convex mirror, and (ii) focal length of a convex
mirror ?
Solution :
(a) (i) Principal focus of a convex mirror: The principal focus of a convex mirror is a point on its
principal axis from which a beam of light rays, initially parallel to the axis, appears to diverge
after being reflected from the convex mirror.
(ii) Focal length of a concave mirror: The focal length of a convex mirror is the distance from the
pole (P) to its principal focus (F).

14.When a spherical mirror is held towards the sun and its sharp image is formed on a piece of
carbon paper for some time, a hole is burnt in the carbon paper.
(a) What is the nature of spherical mirror ?
(b) Why is a hole burnt in the carbon paper ?
(c) At which point of the spherical mirror the carbon paper is placed ?
(d) What name is given to the distance between spherical mirror and carbon paper ?
(e) What is the advantage of using a carbon paper rather than a white paper ?
Solution :
(a) Concave mirror
(b) A lot of sun’s heat rays are concentrated at the point of sun’s image which burn the hole in
carbon paper.
(c) At the focus.
(d) Focal length.
(e) A black carbon paper absorbs more heat rays and hence burns a hole more easily (than a
white paper).

15.Which kind of mirror is used in the headlights of a car ? Why is it used for this purpose ?
Solution :
Concave mirror is used in the headlights of a car. This is because when a lighted bulb is placed
at the focus of a concave mirror reflector, then the diverging light rays of the bulb are collected
by the concave reflector and then reflected to produce a strong, parallel-sided beam of light
(which travels a considerable distance in the darkness of night).

16.Which type of mirror is used in a solar furnace ? Support your answer with reason.
Solution :
Concave mirror is used in a solar furnace.
The solar furnace is placed at the focus of a large concave reflector. When parallel rays of light
from the sun fall on the surface of the concave mirror, rays gets reflected and meet at the focus
of the mirror due to the converging nature of concave mirror. Thus, the furnace kept at the focus
becomes very hot. Even steel can be melted in this furnace.

17.Name the type of mirror used by dentists. How does it help ?

Solution :
Concave mirror is used by dentists.
The dentist holds a small concave mirror in such a way that the tooth lies within its focus. A
magnified image of the tooth is then seen by the dentist in the concave mirror. Since the tooth
looks much bigger, it becomes easy to examine the defect in the tooth.

18.Explain why, concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors.

Solution :
Concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors. This is because when the face is placed close to
a concave mirror (so that the face is within its focus) the concave mirror produces a magnified
and erect image of the face. Since a large image of the face is seen in the concave mirror, it
becomes easier to make a smooth shave.

19.Give two uses of a convex mirror.

Solution:
(i) A convex mirror is used as a rear-view mirror in vehicles because it forms erect and
diminished images of the objects and has a wider field of view.
(ii) Big convex mirrors are used as security mirror in shops so that a large number of goods
displayed in the shop can be seen in the convex mirror.

20.The diagram shows a dish antenna which is used to receive television signals from a
satellite. The antenna (signal detector) is fixed in front of the curved dish.

(a) What is the purpose of the dish?

(b) Should it be concave or convex?
(c) Where should the antenna be positioned to receive the strongest possible signals?
(d) Explain what change you would expect in the signals if a larger dish was used.

Solution:
a)The purpose of the dish is to collect large amount of TV signals from the satellite.
(b) Concave.
(c) At the focus of the dish.
(d) Stronger signals will be received.

21.A man standing in front of a special mirror finds his image having a very small head, a fat
body and legs of normal size. What is the shape of :
(a) top part of the mirror ?
(b) middle part of the mirror ?
(c) bottom part of the mirror ?
Give reasons for your choice.
Solution:
a)Convex – Because a convex mirror forms a diminished image when the object is placed near
it.
(b) Concave – Because a concave mirror forms an enlarged image when the object is placed
near it.
(c) Plane – Because a plane mirror forms an image of same size as the object.

22.How will you distinguish between a plane mirror, a concave mirror and a convex mirror
without touching them ?
Solution :
We can distinguish between a plane mirror, a concave mirror and a convex mirror by bringing
our face close to each mirror, turn by turn. If the image is of the same size as our face, it is a
plane mirror. If the image is magnified, it is a concave mirror. If the image is diminished, it is a
convex mirror.

23.Two big mirrors A and B are fitted side by side on a wall. A man is standing at such a
distance from the wall that he can see the erect image of his face in both the mirrors. When the
man starts walking towards the mirrors, he finds that the size of his face in mirror A goes on
increasing but that in mirror B remains the same
(a) mirror A is concave and mirror B is convex
(b) mirror A is plane and mirror B is concave
(c) mirror A is concave and mirror B is convex
(d) mirror A is convex and mirror B is plane
Solution:
Mirror A is concave and mirror B is concave

24.Which of the following are concave mirrors and which convex mirrors ?
Shaving mirrors, Car headlight mirror, Searchlight mirror, Driving mirror, Dentist’s inspection
mirror, Torch mirror, Staircase mirror in a double-decker bus, Make-up mirror, Solar furnace
mirror, Satellite TV dish, Shop security mirror.
Solution:
Shaving mirror – concave mirror.
Car headlight mirror – concave mirror.
Searchlight mirror – concave mirror.
Driving mirror – convex mirror.
Dentist’s inspection mirror – concave mirror.
Torch mirror – concave mirror.
Staircase mirror in a double-decker bus – convex mirror.
Make-up mirror – concave mirror.
Solar furnace mirror – concave mirror.
Satellite TV dish – concave mirror.
Shop security mirror – convex mirror.
25.Name the two types of spherical mirrors. What type of mirror is represented by the :
(a) back side of a shining steel spoon ?
(b) front side of a shining steel spoon ?
Solution :
Two types of spherical mirrors are:
(i) Concave mirror
(ii) Convex mirror
Type of mirror represented by the:
(a) back side of a shining steel spoon – convex mirror
(b) front side of a shining steel spoon – concave mirror