Lesson 8.

Reflection of Light (Part 1 of 2)

I. Most Essential Learning Competency

At the end of the lessons of this module, the students can:
 solves problems involving reflection, refraction, dispersion, and polarization in contexts
such as, but not limited to, (polarizing) sunglasses, atmospheric haloes, and rainbows.

II. Learning Outcomes

Given varied learning activities, the students are expected to:
a. construct a ray diagram to locate the image of an object;
b. solves problems involving reflection, refraction, dispersion, and polarization in contexts
such as, but not limited to, (polarizing) sunglasses, atmospheric haloes, and rainbows.

III. Target Value/s:

Intellectually Competent – The students are able to use their critical thinking through
solving the different problems.

Concept Note
When light is incident on a surface, it may be reflected, transmitted, refracted, scattered,
or absorbed. A transparent body allows light to pass through it. A translucent body scatters the
light passing through it so that objects behind it are not clearly seen. An opaque body does not
transmit light at all. Clear water, air, and a clear glass are transparent. Frosted glass is translucent,
the human body, stones, and wood are opaque.
Reflection is the turning back of light into the same medium after striking a surface. The
ray that strikes the surface is called the incident ray. The ray that rebounds from the surface is
called the reflected ray. A line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence is called the
normal. The angle between the incident ray and the normal is called the angle of incidence. This
is represented as 𝜃𝑖 (𝜃1 ).The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is called the angle
of reflection, represented 𝜃𝑟 (𝜃2 ).
Laws of Reflection

1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection: 𝜃1 = 𝜃2

2. The incident ray, the normal, and the reflected ray lie in one plane.

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 Sample Problem
A ray of light is incident on a surface at 43 0. Find the angle between the incident ray
and the reflected ray.
Solution
Given: angle of incidence = 430
𝜃1 = 𝜃2
430 + 430
= 860
Therefore, the angle between incident ray and reflected ray is 860.

Mirrors
A mirror is not necessarily a silvered plate of glass. It is any surface that is smooth enough
to produce regular reflection of light incident upon it. There are two types of mirror: plane mirror
and spherical mirror. A plane mirror is one with a flat surface. A spherical mirror is a mirror whose
reflecting surface is taken from the surface of a sphere. A spherical mirror may be concave or
convex. A concave mirror curves inward in the direction of incident rays. A convex mirror bulges
outward to the incident rays.

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 Real and Virtual Images
A real image has the following properties:
1. It is formed by actual intersection of light rays after encountering a mirror. A real image is
formed in front of the mirror.
2. It can be projected on a screen.
3. It is always inverted.

A virtual image has the following properties:

1. No light actually passes at the apparent location of the image. The apparent location of the
image is found by extending the reflected rays until they intersect. A virtual image is formed at
the back of the mirror.
2. It cannot be focused on a screen.
3. It is always upright.

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 Plane Mirror Images
Plane mirror images are virtual, upright, the same size as the object, the same distance
behind the mirror as the object in front of the mirror, and laterally reversed.

It will take a little geometry to prove that the size of the image (h1) is equal to the size
of the object (h0), and the distance of the image (𝜃) at the back of the mirror is equal to the
distance of the object (p) in front of the mirror.

Sample Problem
Plane mirrors in a beauty salon are arranged in such a way that they face each other.
Suppose that two mirrors are 2.0 m apart and an object is placed 0.5 m from one of the mirrors.
Find the distances of the first image formed by each mirror.

Solution:
We are given that the two mirrors – MA and MB – are 2.0 m apart and that the object is 0.5 m
from, say, MA. Let us represent the object by an arrow.
Recall that the object’s distance in front of the mirror is equal to the image’s distance behind
the mirror. For MA, the first image is 0.5 m at its back. Let us label it I1A. For MB, the first image
formed is 1.5 m behind it. Let us label it I1B.

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 Terminologies on Spherical Mirrors
Spherical mirrors are mirrors cut out of a spherical reflecting surface. There are two
types of spherical mirrors.

 The center of curvature (C) is the center of the sphere from where the mirror was taken.
 The vertex (V) is the center of the mirror. It is sometimes called the pole of the mirror.
 The radius of curvature (R) is the radius of the sphere. It is the distance between C and
V.
 The principal axis, or optical axis, is a straight line joining C and V.
 The aperture (AB) refers to the width of the mirror.
 The principal focus (F) is the point where the reflected rays meet as in the case of a
converging mirror (concave mirror), or the point where the reflected rays seem to come
from behind a diverging mirror (convex mirror).
 The focal length (f) is the distance from the vertex to the principal focus. Since the principal
focus is midway between C and V, the focal length is one-half of the radius of curvature.

When parallel rays strike a concave mirror, the rays will be reflected and meet at a
single point – the principal focus. Hence, we say that a concave mirror is converging. A convex
mirror is a diverging mirror because when parallel rays strike it, the reflected rays spread out and
never come to a focus. However, if the reflected rays were extended, they would appear or seem
to come from a single point behind the mirror. This point is also called the principal focus of the
convex mirror. Since there is an actual meeting of reflected rays in concave mirrors, the principal
focus is real. On the other hand, the principal focus for a convex mirror is virtual.

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 Types Spherical Mirror Images
Convex Mirror Images
The image formed by a convex mirror is never real because the reflected rays
spread out from the mirror. Images formed by a convex mirror are always virtual, upright, and
smaller than the object.
Concave Mirror Images
A concave mirror can produce real or virtual images, depending on the distance
between the mirror and the objects. The image may also be larger than, the same size as, or
smaller than the object.

Type of Image Formed by Concave Mirrors at Different Object Positions

Location of Object Location of Image Characteristics of Image

Very far (at infinity) At F Real, inverted, very small (almost a point)

Beyond C Between C and F Real, inverted, smaller than the object

At C At C Real, inverted, same size as the object

Between C and F Beyond C Real, inverted, bigger than the object

At F At infinity No image formed because all reflected rays

are parallel

Between F and V Back of mirror Virtual, upright, bigger than the object

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 Ray Tracing for Spherical Mirrors
There are four special rays that are convenient to draw in locating the image formed by a
spherical mirror.
1. A ray passing through the center of curvature is reflected along itself.

2. A ray parallel to the optical axis is reflected through the principal focus as in case of
converging mirrors; or when extended, it appears to come from the principal focus as in case of
diverging mirrors. Broken lines are used to indicate an extended ray.

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 3. A ray passing the focus (or which when extended passes through the focus) is reflected
parallel to the optical axis.

4. A ray striking the vertex of the mirror is reflected at an equal angle on the opposite side of the
principal axis.

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 Example:
1. Ray A is parallel to the optical axis and striking the tip of the object. Ray B is passing through
the center of the center of curvature and striking the tip of the object.

Ray diagram for the image formed by a convex mirror

2. Ray A parallel to the optical axis, and Ray B passing through the center of a curvature.

Ray diagram for the image formed by a convex mirror

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 Mirror Equation and Magnification
The position and size of the image formed by mirrors may be determined using ray
diagrams. However, the position of the image may be quickly determined using the mirror
equation given below.
1 1 1 2
+ = =
𝑑0 𝑑𝑖 𝑓 𝑅
𝑅
f= 2
where f = focal length
R = radius of curvature
d0 = object distance from the vertex of mirror
d1 = image distance from the vertex of mirror

The focal length as well as the radius of curvature are positive for concave are positive for
concave mirrors, negative for convex mirrors. The distance of the image from the vertex of the
mirror is positive for real image, negative for a virtual image. The distance of the object vertex of
the mirror is always taken to be positive.
The size of the image relative to the object, termed as magnification and represented by a
capital letter M, can be obtained by getting the absolute value of the ratio of the image distance
to the object from the mirror.
𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 −𝑑
M= = | 𝑑 1|
𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 0

If M is equal to 1, the image is the same size as the object. If M is less than 1, the image
is smaller than the object. If M is greater than 1, the image is bigger than the object.

Sample Problem
An object is placed 20.0 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius 50.0 cm. (a) What is the
focal length of the mirror? (b) Where is the image located? (c) Characterize this image.

Given: R = 50.0 cm
d0 = 20.0 cm

Solution:
a. We know that focal length is one-half of the radius f curvature.
𝑅 50.0 𝑐𝑚
f= = = 25.0 cm
2 2
b. Use the mirror equation and substitute the values.
1 1 1
= +𝑑
25.0 𝑐𝑚 20.0 𝑐𝑚 𝑖

di = -100.0 cm

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 The negative sign of di tells us that the image is virtual. Hence, it must be upright.
Solve for the magnification to know the relative size of the image to the object.

−𝑑 −100.0 𝑐𝑚
M= | 𝑑 1| = = | | = 5.0
0 20.0 𝑐𝑚

Since M is greater than 1, the image is five times bigger than the object.

References
 Silverio, Angelina A, 2017, Exploring Life through Science Series General Physics,
Quezon City, Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
 Madamba, Jayson S, 2019, Experiencing Science, IEMI building, 2356 Revellin St. Sta.
Ana, Maynila

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mechanical including photocopying-without the written permission from La Consolacion College Liloan, Cebu Inc. 2021.
 Activity 1.
Instructions: Construct a ray diagrams to determine the location, orientation, size, and type of
images formed by spherical mirror. Fill up the table to summarize the characteristics of images
formed.

Concave Mirror
Case 1: Object is far beyond C

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

Case 2: Object is at C

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

Case 3: Object is between C and F

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

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 Case 4: Object at F

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

Case 5: Object between F and Mirror

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

Optical Ray Diagram Rules for Convex Mirror

Case 1: Anywhere

Object Location
Location
Orientation
Size
Type

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 Activity 2
Instructions: Read, understand and answer the given problems. Show your solutions.
1. A ray og light strikes a surface and is reflcted such that the angle between the incident ray and
the reflected ray is 300. (a) What is the angle of incidence? (b) What is the angle of reflection?

2. A man is 1.4 tall. What minimum size of a plane mirror does he need to see his full self?

3. Two plane mirrors, MA and MB, face each other. An object is placed somewhere between them.
MA forms an image of this object 30 cm behind it. MB forms an image of this object 90 cm behind
it. How far apart are the two mirrors?

4. An object is placed 36.0 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 22.5 cm. (a)What is the
radius of curvature of the mirror? (b) Where is the image of the object located? (c) Characterize
this image.

5. A ray of light is incident at 450. What is its angle of reflection?

6. A concave mirror has a radius of curvature of 12 cm. What is its focal length?

7. When an object is placed 30.0 cm from a convex lens, a virtual image is formed 15.0 cm from
the lens.
a. What is the magnification of the image?

b. What is the focal length?

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 Activity 3.
Instructions: Read, understand, and answer the given questions. Write you answer on the space
provided.
1. Some rearview mirrors in cars have this warning: “Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear.” Explain why is this is so.

2. How does the location of the object affect the characteristics and location formed in the
concave mirror? How about in the convex mirror?

3. What type of mirror do dentists usually use to see the image of the teeth? Why?

4. What type of spherical or curve mirror do you see in most department stores? Why do you
think they use such kind of mirror?

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