UNIT 6 LIGHT - IMAGE FORMATION

BY MIRRORS AND LENSES

Structure
Introduction
Objectives'
Image Formation by Spherical Mirrors
6.3.1 Spherical Miors
6.3.2 h a g e Formation by Concave Mirrors
Refraction of Light
6.4 1 Laws of Refraction
6.4.2 Refraction through a Glass Slab
6.4.3 Refraction through a Prism
Inlage Formation by Spherical Lenses
6.5.1 Lens
6.5.2 Pos~tlon,Sue and Nature of the hnnage Formed b.1 a Convex Lens
6.5.3 Position and Nature of the Image Formed by a Concave Lens
Applications of Refraction of Light in Daily Life
Let Us Sum Up
Unit-end Exercises
Answers to Check Your Progress
Suggested-Readings

6.1 INTRODUCTION
Light is of great significance in the realm of physics. Reflection by the plane mirror is used in
many ways in day to day life - seeing the faces and in the construction of periscope which is
used in submarines, battle field trenches etc. A kaleidoscope is an interesting toy for children.
Spherical mirrors are useful to us in many ways such as in vehicles, search lights etc. Convex
mirror provides a wider view. A convex mirror always produces an erect image. These are used
in scooters, cars, buses and trucks to see the rear view, as the images formed are diminished, so
a large number of objects can be seen. Concave mirror provides an arrangement of sending
parallel beam of light if source is placed at the focus. These are used in designing the head lights
of cars, train engines, and search lights. Concave nlirror focusesthe light falling on it, at a point.
Dental and ENT surgeons use the concave mirror for focussing light at the desired point in the
mouth.

Indeed, it is by the reflected light that we are able to see objects.

The knowledge of the principle of refraction has been used in the construction of lenses. Convex
and concave lenses are used in spectacles. They are also used in almost all optical instruments
such as Microscopes, Telescopes, Cameras, etc.

6.2 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you will be able to :
8 explain reflection by spherical mirrors:
8 apply the understanding of reflection in image formation by spllerical mirrors;
8 explain refraction by spherical lenses:
8 apply the understanding of refraction to learn the image formation in lenses;
8 conlprehend the structure and functions of spherical ~nirrorsand lenses;
8 plan teaching strategies such as discussioncuin-demonstration, discovery method,
 indhctive method, deductive method and assignment method for effective teach~ng-
ledrning of the topic in specific situations:
drrw correct ray diagrams:
iilake visual aids such as nlodels of niiignifying glass, simple microscope, telescope
and different kl~idsof charts:
higliliglit the uses of nlirrors and lenses.

6.3 IMAGE FORMATION BY SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Spherical niirrors are also known as curved mirrors. Curved mirrors are spherical in shape and
are mad$ from a part oC the inner or outer surface of a sphere. If the inner surface of sphere is
silvered and made to reflect, it would be concave in shape. If the outer st~rfaceof sphere is silvered
and nlade to reflect. it would be convex in shape.

By cutti~iiga portion of a hollow sphere a spherical nlirror can be made as shown in Fig 6.1.

Fig. 6.1

In Fig. 6.2. AOB is a concave mirror. C is the center of curvature. F is the principal focns/focal
poiht. Hkre segment AOB is silvered inside and outside is painted dark.

Fig. 6.2

i.

I n Fig. 6.3. Segment AOB is convcs mirror. AOB is silvered outside and inside is painted dark
I

1 Fig. 6.3
 Light - h a g e
6.3.1 Spherical Mirrors mmtion by Mlrron
dLclra
Spherical mirrors are of two types - convex and concave. Convex mirror is also known as
diverging mirror and concave mirror is known as converging mirror.

M a i n Teaching Points/Conceyts to be Taught

Structurally, a spherical mirror may be considered to be made up of a very large

number of tiny mirror strips arranged in an inclined fashion.
A spherical mirror may converge or diverge the light rays incident on it.
The laws of reflection applicable to plane lnirrors also hold good for spherical minors.
Terms such as incident ray, reflected ray, angle of reflection, angle of incidence and
normal to be recollected.
The focal len@h of a spherical minor f = r/2, where r is the radius of curvature of
the sphere.

1
' . Teaching-Learning Process

The three types of mirrors that we come across are plane mirrors. concave mirrors 2nd conves
mirrors*. Th& are placed in front of the students. Objects placed in front of tl~einwould produce
imagesof different types, shapes and sizes. Plananirror would havc in~ageof smle size, concave
small, inverted and real whereas convex 111irrorwould l~avelarge. erect but virtual image. Discuss
their observations. What differencesdo they observe?Mirrors call also be identifiedby touching.
Do you know that concave mirrors are k~lownas shaving mirrors ? Wliat type of n~irrorsa dental
I
surgeon uses for focussing the light'?
I
I
Demonutration

Take a concave mirror. Let ligl~lfall on the mirror. The light converges at one point. Move the
mirror so that you get a slurp i~nagcon tlie wall or the screcn. as thc case may be. Measure tlie
distancebetween the n~irrorandsharp point. Thedistancebetween the mirror and this sl~arp point
is known as focal length of the mirror.

Taking a convex mirror the activity is rcpeated. Follow all tlie clraracteristics of demonstra-
ti011methodology. Let the light fall on convex mirror. Wliat happens? Tlrc light diverges in
different directions and does not concentrate at one point.

There are two laws of reflection (Figure 6.1)on tlie blackboard. The two laws are:

' i) The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle ol reflection.

ii) Thc incident ray, the reflected ray and the norr~ralto thc inirror at tlre point oC
iilcide~~ce
all lie in tlle same plane.

Fig. 6.4
 In theFigure 6.5, S is an object. Though the rays come and fall on the mirror at 0,and 0, and
get reflected from the mirror, the reflected rays appear to come from SO'. Explain, incident ray,
reflected ray and normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection in the figure. Now, we can
infer that :

i) , The image formed by a plane mirror is of the same size as the object.
ii) The distance of the image from the mirror is equal to the distance of the object from
I the mirror.
iii) The iinage of an object formed by a plane mirror cannot be obtained on a screen placed
anywhere behind the mirror. Thus the image is a virtual image.
(iv) The image which can be obtained on the screen is called real image.
When light falls on a material, the following four processes either fully or partially may
happen to it :
a) , It inay be absorbed, its energy being converted into various forms of internal energqr;
b) It may pass through the material almost without loss of energy (as through glass or
air);
c) It inay be scattered from the material in all directions (as from milk, white glass etc.);
andlor
d) It may be bounced off from the surface, never entering the material at all.
Ganerally some combination of these four processes may occur. In most materials, the interaction
depends upon the wavelength of the light. This is why absorption or reflection produces colour;
for instance, a red filter absorbs all colour except red, and transmit the red to the other side.
T l ~ reflection
e of light depends upon the nature of the material, the conditions of the surface; and
the angle at which the light strikes tile surface. If surfaces are very snlooth then clear pictures
of objects, which are called images, can Idseen in them. Such smooth surfacesare called mirrors.
Fdr example, highly polislled surfaces of aluminium or copper act as mirrors. Most mirrors,
hqwever, are made of glass and are coated on one side with the thin layer of silver.

The reflection from a shining\polished\evensurface is regular reflection. Reflection fromuneven

surface is irregular reflection.

A spherical mirror may be considered to be made up of a very large number of tiny plane mirror
*9 sthips placed inclined to each other.
Lfthese small plane mirrors are placed inclined to each other and light falls on them what would
happen'? Illustrate the diagram shown in figure 6.6.

Fig. 6.6 Fig. 6.7

The light falling on the surf 1 :concentrateson a s~nallare;).By increasingthe ~~ulnberof mirrors,
the area over which Lhe reflected rays meet can be made s~nallerand snialler. When the number
of mirror strips is large, the surface of all the tiny mirrors for111a continuous snloolh surface and
all the reflected rays concentrate a1 one point. In such a case the surface becomes spherical. Thus
a concave mirror may be considered to be nude up of a large number of small plane mirrors
inclined to each other as sho\vn in figure 6.6.

Figure 6.7 shows thal the small plane mirrors are placed inclined to each other. The light rays
falling on the niirror strips do not meet at a small area but diverge and appear to come from a
very small area. Hence a convex mirror may also be considered tobe made up of a large number
of small plane inirrors inclined to each other as shown in Figure 6.7.

Thos, one can coiiclude that a spherical mirror may be considered as being made up of a large
number of small plane mirrors.

Draw diagrams as sliown in Figure 6.8 and 6.9. Observe and study the fibwres. What do you
notice? Convex mirror (Fig. 6.9) provides a wider field of view as compared to a plane mirror
(Fig. 6.8). Draw the attention of st~~dentsto notice that the segments in both the cases are equal.
Let students infer that this propcrty of convex mirror has practical utility.

Fig. 6.8
 Fig. 6.9

I
Relation between Radius of Curvature m d Focal Length
1
To ffnd the relationsllip between focal lengtli and radius of curvature, look at the Figure 6.10.
'
W1ii)L is PQ? What is QF'? What is F'? What is CO'? Wliat is FO'? Wllat is LPQC and What is
LFQC?

PQ is incident ray. QF is reflected ray. QC is normal. F is focus. CO is the radius of curvature. ,

C is centre of cunlature. FO is the focal length of the mirror.
I
1

Fig. 6.10

So, you see that incident ray PQ is parallel Lo principal axis CFO. QC is normal. Because tlie laws
ofreflection are the sanle for plane nlirrors and for curved mirrors, the angle of incidence is equal
to tlhe angle of reflection.

and LPQC = LFQC

LPQC = LFCQ (Becituse these are Alternate angles. Why ?PQ and CO are parallel
and QC intersects these rays.)
:. LFQC = LFCQ
and so QF = CF
Q i$ very close to 0
QF = FO (very nearly)
CF + OF = ? (is eqml to radius of curvature OC)
Thus OF = 112 OC
or f = rl2
Thus, we observe that focal length of a spherical mirror is half of the r~diusof curvature of the
mirror.
Methodology used :In the teaching-learning process of tlic content ofthis unit. den~onstration
- cum - discussion, inductive method and deductive method lmve been used.
Checli 'Your Pro,"I-CSS
Notcs : ,I)W r ~ l c)our answers in the space ~ I I C I Ibclo\~
b) Colliparc your ansucrs !tllll tl~oscgncn ;]I thc clld or Ihc IIIII~

1 In tllc Figtires 0 1 I and 0 12 Lllc p l ~ c l ~ o ~ ~ o~ ferrclfol le~c t ~ oIS~silo\\

~ n ulldcr drffcrcnt
sit 11:ltlons What typc or rcflcc~londo thci III~IC,IIC"

Even surfacc
Fig. 6.11

Pig. 6.12

2. Two ~.dlnncmirrors arc kcpl at 90" to c;lcll olllcr as silavl; i l l Figure 0.13. Tllc
incidcnt ray AB 1s sllo\v~l:IS falling on onc of tllc lnirror!; 1Q
' :if ;~nglc01'25". Drill\
111c pi1111of'thc rcflectcd ray.

Fig. 6.13
I
 1 r l ~ ktllc correct nnsncr For ,In ~ d c , ~plnnc l Illirror. tllcrc sl~ouldbc
I) III;I\I~IIUIII trdl1s1111ss1o11
1 1 ) I I I ~ I . \ I I I I ~ I I;1bsorp11011
I~
111) I I ~ : I \ I I ~ I ~ ~rcgulat
III rcflcc11011
I\ ) nlaxllntun Irregular rellect~olr

4 In a dclnol~slratlollusillg 3 111irrorthc image of a n objcct pl:~ccd in Crollr of it llas

l l ~ cfollo~vlngi l ~ a r i ~ c t c r ~ s t i c s ~
I) Ir 1s iipr1gI11.
11) 11 11i1stllc S ; I I I I ~s i ~ cas (11;il of Ille oblccl.
lii) I [ appcars as l:,~r.behind t l ~ cmirror as thc ob.jcct is in front or illc Illlrror.
i\.) I t is I:rternll!- il~\,crrcdfro~nright to Icft.
Describc wl1;11t>'pc of mirror has been 11scd.

.........................................................................................................................
5. I . \\wild bc its radius ofcrln ;ltore'? W11!"?
If foc;~lIc~igtlrof tlic mir.ror 1s 25 ~ I I \\ha1
..................................................................... ...............................
0. Writc T i f Iljc s1:llelncnt is inlc and F I C l l ~ estiltcnlcllr 1s \\rollg.
i) in caw of ;I concave lulrror tllc focus IS real.
ii) In casc of coll\.cs lllirror [Ilc focus is \~irtual
I 111) \VIICIIrays acttl;~ll!: ~ i ~ e c t ! i ~ ~ ~ c rt sl ~c cr-c;ll
~ . Imagc 1s Iorlncd
I
I i\ ) W ~ I ~rays
I I actuall!, do not mcet but appe;~rsto colne from ;I point. ~~lrtlial
I lmagc 1s rorn~cd.
I

- - - - - - -- - - -- --- - -

6.3.2 Image Formation by Concave Mirrors

A concave mirror fornu, both real and virtual images.

All dista~nlcesare ~inleasuredfrom tlie pole of the mirror as origin.
All distance nieas~iremktshave to follow a sign convention for tlie sake of uniformity.
0 Magnificatioil gives how much the iinage is bigger or smaller tlnl2nln the object.
In contrast to concave mirror, conves mirror always diverges the rays incident on it
and hence it has a virtual image.
Convex mirror always produces virtual image diinlnlinished in size. Tlnle nnlagnification
produced will always ble less than one.
0 Application of spherical mirrors.

Teaching-Learning Process

We know that the image of an object formed by a plane niirror is virtual. It cannot be obtained
or projected on a screen, but the concave mirror produces a real image and focuses it on a plane.
How is this image fornnled'?

Consider a concave nlirror, as sll,,own in Fig. 6.14. Let there be an object AB. The rays of Irght
emanate from the object, strike tht: mirror and an image A' B' is consequently formed. It is toble
noted that the image A' B' is smaller than the object in size. and that it is real and inverted. We Light - Image
know that a real iniage is fornied on a screen while a virll~alimage is not. If the objcct is nloved F u m t i u ~ aby Mirruls
amd Len.sc.*
towards or awav from the mirror. its image also shifts. Let us esalnine this process.

In Fig. 6.11 the object AB is beyond C (the centre of cun.ntnre). i.e., 0B.OC. Further, the inlagc
is formed between F and C. i.e... OBI. OC.

Fig. 6.14

Observe the ray diagram in Fig. 6.14. From the object AB, tlie ray AM is parallel to the principal
axis of the mirror. After reflection it goes through the focus F as MFA'. Tlie ray ACA' passing
through the centre of curvatl~rehits tlie mirror and gets reflected back. Tliesc two reflected rays
meet at the image point A'. Tlie object AB is seen as the image B' A'.
-
The student may be asked to note that:

A ray incident along the direction p;~rallelto principal axis is rcilected to pass tlirougli
the principal focus.
A ray of light passing tllrougli ~llcfocus wl~enincident up011 a concave mirror is
reflected parallel to tllc prilicipal axis.
A ray passing through centre of curvature when incident upon a concave iilirror is
reflected back along the path of incidence.
Ray diagrams are draw11 with light lravelli~igfronl left to right i.e. tlie object. is kept
on the left side of the mirror/lens.
The pole of the mirror (or tlie optical centre in case of lens) is considered to be situated
at the origin of tlie co-ordinate axis.
The principal axis is taken as coincident with tlie x-axis of tile co-ordinate system.
All the nleasurelllent are to be done fro111 tlie origin.
Distance measured towards right are taken as positive while those measured towards
left of the origin are taken as negative.

The Figure 6.15 helps in understanding tlie sign convcntio~i

Object
Incident
on left of light
mirror
Against
incident
light

Fig. 6.15
Teaching o t ~ l l y s i c s Note : The focal length of a concave mirror is llegatlve and that of a convex mirror is positive.

IMAGE FORMED BY A CONCAVE MIRROR FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS OF

OBJECT
I

To locate the posit~onof an image formed in a concave mirror, take two rays from the same point
of the object. One incident ray is parallel to the principal axis, which 'after reflection passes
through the principal focus. Another ray passing through the centre of curvature traces the path
of the incident ray in opposite direction. W1lya?As per reflection laws: (I) Incident ray, reflected
ray and normal are all in one plane. (ii) Lof incidence = L of reflection. The point, at whlch these;
two rays actually intersect. is the real image of the object. Why'? Because it can be obtained om
a scteen.

Let students apply tliese rules to find out the position, nature and the relative size of the imagc:
of a11 object with respect to tllc mirror.

Position of Positioil Nature aild

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram
lnlage Image
-
I . l A Real. very l

,
focus F . snlall and
inverted
Discuss when object is at infinity. the
+
++
incident rays are taken parallel. These 2
0
rays after reflection go from focus F.
Because these rays intersect with each
other, so the inlage is real. Discuss the
nature of distances.
i Fig. 6.16

Posit~onof Pos~tion Nature and

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram
Image Inrage Image
2. Beyond the Between Real
centre of F and C diminished
curvature C ~nslze and
inverted
Discuss image format~on

Fig. 6.17

. Pos~t~oil
of Position Nature and
the Object of the size of tlie Ray Diagram
Irnage Inlage Image
3. At C At C Real, same
slze as object
and Inverted

+$
Discuss image fornlat~on.Illustrate the
i0
rules be~ngfollowed by the rajs emerg-
iilgfroill AB. DiscussMagnification how
A'
nluch big or snlall the image 1s in
colnparison to object Fig. 6.18
a
28
 . Light- h a p
Position of Position Nature and Fornuttion by Mlrmm
the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram and Lenses
Image Image Image
4. Between F Beyond Real,
and C C enlarged
and M
inverted
0

Fig. 6.19

Position of Position Nature and

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram
Iinage Image Image
5. AtF At Real, very
infinity large and
mverted

Fig. 6.20

Position of Position Nature and

theobject ofthe size of the Ray Diagram
Image Image Image
6. Between Behind Virtual,
A'

+if
pole of the the enlarged
5*?
mirror P mirror and erect -5'
0
I
and focus F A 0 0 0 M' II
I
,------A
B'

Fig. 6.21

I A simple relation exists between the focal length F, the distance of an object from the mirror U,
and the distance of the image V from a spherical mirror be it convex or concave:
- - I+ - l l
-
F U V

I The magnification M is given by the ratio :

I --
U
M = Size of the image = -
Size of the object 0 V
Example: An, object is placed 20 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 12 cm.Find
the nature and position of the image formed in this case.

Now u = -20 cm (object in left)

29
What do@sthe minus sign mean'?

The minus sign means that the image is on the same side as the object. It is a real image.

1s t l ~ r shy
e other method offinding nature and position of the image'?Draw the ray diagram in
graph paper and find the nature position and size of the iinage from Fig. 6.16 to Fig. 6.21. So
by meang of an accurate graphical construction, the position, size and nature of the image of an
object can be determined.

Similarly, image formation in convex mirrors can also be explained to the students.

Fig. 6.22

From Fig. 6.22, it is clear that in convex mirror, rays appear to diverge from the focus. So the
image is sways erect, virtual and diminished.

Applications of convex mirror in daily life have been dealt with in previous section 6.3.1.

Methodology used : Inductive method of teaching has beell emphasised to inculcate insight and
provide kinforcement. Efforts have also been made to inculcate skills such as arranging
demonstrstions, group and individual activities and drawing diagrams on blackboard and to
impmvid benches, optical stands (clamp) if not available. Hint has also been provided to
iilculcate skills on the use of formula.
I Check Your Plr)grers
u g t -h ( l o
F m m t l u ~by~ Mirrors
;mdLenses
Notes : a ) Wrllc \our ansv'crs 111 llle spircc glvcn bclon.
b) Colnparc \,our answers 111111 tllosc gnScnat the c ~ r dof the unlt
-
i I\l:r:cl~tllc Itcunb 111 zoltm~nB ;rgalnsl tllc ~tcuis111col~ulunA Tllc ourrn; used 111

i LLJ I<,\\ C
I
C O ~ ~ A~ I I I ~ Colu~nnB
Position of the ol~jcct Position of thc i m i ~ g c
;I) V c v firr an;)). i) \'en' f:lr ~ I \ \ ; I )
b) AIC ii) B c > o ~ C. ~ don tllc same side :IS tlrc
ob.jcct
e) Bclnccli F and tllc pole iii) Bct\vcc~~ F and C
ti! Bet\\ccn F ;rnd C 11.) AI C
cj AlF ) Al F
1) F!eyol~d C ( U ' , R) 1 . i ) On tllc otl~er s ~ d of
c the ~r~irrtir
ic
b c l ~ i ~ iltd

..............................................................................................

h) 25 cm from ;i c o ~ ~ v c~nirror
s of focal Ic1lg1112(! ~ I I I .

'The image forlllcd by a co~lc;l\c mirror is seen to hc \ ~ r l u : ~crccl

I , iind li~rgctI1;11i lllc
ol?ji'c~.Tllc position of rllc ob-jcci I I I ~ bc:
I ~ ~

a) I-~cln.centhe rllirror and 11s rocl~s

h) hcl\~ccnlllc focus and lllc L C I I I ~ Cor CLIIT;IIII~C

) a1 thc ccnlrc ~f crln;llllrc

6.4 REFRACTION OF LIGHT

We know that light can pass through air through vaaluni and also througli transparcrit and
translucent substances. Any tlung tllrougl~which ligl~tpasses is k n o ~ as
~ nmedium. Liglit travcls
in a straight line in each of these media. But wl~atllappc~isto Lhe pat11 of light as it goes froni
one medium into another'? When light passes fro111 one ~ilcdiu~ii into another. it changcs its
direction.
31
One of the most interesting and useful properties of light is its bending when jt passes from one
media iht0 a different media provided angle of incidence is not equal to zero. When angle of
incidence is zero -that is for normal incidence - the ray passes undeviated. The effects such
as a p o d appearing much shallower, a straight stick appearing bent when partly immersed in 1
water arc due to refraction.
I
Main Tkaching Paints

Rafraction is a phenomenon of common occurrence when ray of light passes from one
medium into another (provided angle of incidence is not equal to zero.).

Tqe incident ray and the refracted ray follow a distinct pattern depending on the angle of
indidence and the two media involved in the refraction of light. When a ray of light passes
froinla lessdense nledium into a denser medium, e.g. air to water, air to glass, water to glass,
it Is bent towards the normal, and as it passes from a denser niedium into a less dense
madium, it is bent away fro111the normal. However there is a deviation in this general rule
when angle of incidcnce is zero.

Teaching-Learning Process

All medua which allow light to pass through them bend light, but to different extents depending
on the ddnsity of the medium. For instance, water and glass will not bend light to the same extent,
infact glhss bends light more tlmn water. Below is a list of a few substances in the order of their
abilities to bend light in decreasing order :

1. Diamond
2. Glass of different types
3. Glycerine and Turpentine
4. Water '
5. Ice
6. Air

Glycerine bends light almost to the saint extent as glilss and that explains why it is used in
~nictoscopicwork in joining two lenses together.

6.4.1 Laws of Refraction

Tlmc iilcident ray, the refracted ray and the nor~nal,lo the surface of separation of the
lnqdia concerned. at the point of i~icidenccsare all in the same plane.
Whenever light passes through obliquely from one ~nediunito another of greater
optical density, the rays are bent towards the nornial. Whenever light passes to a
niddiuni of lesser optical density the rays are bent away from the normal. There is a
ratio between sine of angle of incidence nnd sine of anglc of rerraction.

Sine of angle of incidence

= Constant ratio
Sine of angle of refraction

This con$tantiscalled the index of refraction or refractive indes. It depends on the characteristics
of the tw6 media and upon the wavelengtll of the light transmitted. It is independent ofthe angle
of incidebce.

Refractive index qf different transparent sl,rbstancesare different. Refractive indes may be used
to identi9 Inaterials also. The refractive inclex for particular substances is a property like boiling
or lneltidg temperature. The refractive index of a few substances are given below:
 Substances Refractive Index UgM - Inrpge
Funnation by Mirrors
:I& Lenses
1. Diamond,
2. Glass
3. Glycerine
4. Water
5. Ice
6. Air

We also know that there is a relationship between the \,elocity of liglit in air to the velocity in the
other medium. The refractive index, for any substance (other than air) transmitting liglit is
Velocity of liglit in a vacuum
IXefractiYejndex = Velocity of light in t11e substallce

We do renie~nberthe activities perforined by us in class VIII in which a coin appeared raised and
the ruler appeared bent at the surfaceofwater. These optical illusionsoccurbecauselightcllanges
its direction when it travels from one medium into another. This bending of light rays is called
refraction.

6.4.2 Refraction through a Glass Slab

Let us perform an experiment to study tllc patli of liglit as it travels from one ~nediu~n
to another.
We may recall the experiment of glass slab.

In case of refraction through rectangular glass slab. (Fig. 6.23).the incident ray after refraction
through the slab emerges parallel to tlle incident ray. The emergent ray is laterally displaced
compared to the direction of the incident ray. Tlrc incidcnt ray after reiraction at tlie first face
is bent towards [lie nor~nalas the light is tr;n.elling Irorn rarer (less) dense to denser medium.
Now when this refracted ray reaches the second facC, it is rurther refracted but here it passes from
the denser to rarer mediunl and so it is bcnt angayIio~nrlic normal.

Fig. 6.23 :The path of a ray of light travelling from air into glass and glass into air

Now as the same medium of air is on both sides of the glass slab. the cmcrgeiit ray is only shifted
keeping its direction unchanged from tlut of the original lucident ray.

6.4.3 Refraction through A Prism

A prism is a block of glass whose two opposite faces are not parilllel
A prism deviates ray of light.
If the hngle between the two faces is greater tlie deviat~onwill also be greater.
A prism of higher refractive indes glass dcviates ray of light more than a prism of
lower refractive index glass of tlre same anglc.
We may recall the experiment of prism. A sectiox~of the prism on a paper becomes a triangle.
The angle between the two opposite faces L A in Fig. 6.24 is known as the angle of prism.
When light ray passes tllroilgh a prism, it is refracted at two surfaces. once on the way in andonce
on the way out (Fig. 6.25.).

Fig. 6.24 :Refraction of light through a prism

If the two faces imrolvedare parallel the emergent ray is always parallel to the inc~dentray but
in case of prisnl as tlle faces are not parallel the emergent ray has a different direction.

Fig. 6.25

~ a k ak glass pris~nand allow a narrow bean1 of bright light (sunlight or a torch) to fall on one
face1of the prism. Let tl~elight. emerging out of tl~eother face, fall 011 a screen or a wall. The
incide~ltligl~tis seen to bc split into the (VIBGYOR) seven-colour patch. Tllc splitting of light
into its conlponents is called dispersion (Fig. 6.25). Dispersion occurs because the refraction of
diffcrcnt colours is different.

Methodology uncd :This portion of the unit has been retained because, n4tI1out understanding
the terraction pl~enonlenon,it would not be possible to explain the constnlctio~z/structureof it
leld. That is why only narrative nlethod is used to revise tlle kno\vledge of the teacher.

Qlhcclc Your PI-o,rrress

Notcs : a ) Writc \our answers in tllc spacc gi\.cn bclon.
b) Cornpare yorrr answers \\,ill1 tl~oscgiven at Ihe end of thc III~I~.

10. \Nhat happens to a ra? of light \vllicl~rncets tllc surSace of scparallon of two
~nedianor~ually?Espliiin.
............................................................................................'..............................
 When a ray of light IS going fro111a less dense mcdium into a dc~iscrmedium
it it; bent ..................... tlic llornlal but \\-hen it is going froni a denser mcdiu~n
into a less derlsc ~uedium.11 IS bent .................... tile 11orlna1.

12. Draw a d~agralilshowiug thc path of il ray of Itght through a p;~rallcls~dcdglass

block. Label the Iollou lng . ~nc~dcntr;~!. rclinctcd raj . clllcrgclit ra! . normal.
an&:leof incldcncc. angle or rcliacr~onand angle of cmcrgclrcc

6.5 IMAGE FORMATIQKBY SPHERICAL LENSES

Lenses are used in almost all the optical instruments. Lenses are of such great importance that
there is a whole branch of technology and industry devoted to their design and manufacture.

Main Teaching Pohts/Concepts to be Taught

I A lens is a piece of transparent medium ellclosed between two curved surfaces or

between one curved surface and one plane surface. The most con~monlyused lenses
are spherical lenses - convex lens and cotlcave lens.
The convex lens usually converges light rays incident on it.
I
Optical centre of a lens is the point passing through which no incident ray of light
I
is deviated.
I
The rdys parallel to the axis, after refraction through a convex lens meet at a point
called principal focus.
II
I The power of a lens is the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens.
Images fornled by a convex lens.
#
1 linages formed by a concave lens.
1 The image is virtual and when the object is placed between optical centre
and focus of the convex lens. It is this property wl~ichis made use of in a simple
1
nlicroscope (Magnifying glass).
I
The concave lens diverges the light incident on it.
I
The images formed due to a concave lens are always virtual and diminished.
i
Applications of lenses such as simple microscope, telescope, spectacles (correcting
I
defects of vision).
Teaching-Learning Process
Show different types of lenses (Fig. 6.26) to the students. Help recall the ternls learnt in the
previous classes. Explain the terms such as optical centre, principle focus, principle axis and
radius of curvature of a lens.
Help also student noticing that a convex lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges, whereas
a concave lens is thinner in the middle than at the edges. .
 Fig. 6.26

6.5.1 Lens

A lens us a picce of transparent material bounded by two refracting surfaccs (Fig. 6.27). at least
one of wliicli is cunSed(usually splicrical). A lens has tlie property of con\.erging or diverb~ng
tlie r a p i~lcldelitto it.

Fig. 6.27

T\vo Tyt~esof Lenses

Converging action of a convex lens liiay be understood frolii tlie fig. 6.28. Fig. 6.28 shows an
arrangcrneiit of two prisms. which converge a parallel beam of light.

I Fig. 6.28
Fig. 6.29 show a combination of recta~lgularslabs and prisms. Light - Imnge
Funllution by Mirrors
end Lenses

Fig. 6.29 Fig. 6.30

The rays falling on the rectangular slab do not deviate as t lie angle of incidence is zero degree.
The rays striking the upper pris~nbend do\vn\\.ard, and tliose striking tlie lower prism bend
upward and as a result there is a Iocussing actiol~The sh;~pccan bc n~adesmooth and smoother
to form the shape of a lens (Fig. 6.30).

Attention may be drawn that since light may pass tllrougli 21 lens in either direction, there will
be hvo principal foci equidistant fro111 the optic:il centre IFig. 6.31 and Fig. 6.31 (a)]

(b)
Fig. 6.31

[Two foci (F1 and F2) of converging lens are situated on either side of the object.]

Figure6.32 show a diverging action of a concave lens. Aconcave 1~11s may be considered as made
up oCglass slabs a i d prislns as shown in Figure 6.32. This call be compared to tlie actual action
of concave lens as in Fig. 6.33.

Fig. 6.32 : Construction of a concave lens starting Fig. 6.33 :The path of a bunch of parallel rays passing
with two prisms with their vertices in contact. through a concave lens.
37
Conlpare the two figures (6.29 and 6.32) convex lens and concave lens. Through discussions,
make the understand the converging and diverging action of the lenses.

All distances are generally illeasured from optical centre in case of thin lens. Here it should be
stressd that all rays passing from optical centre do not suffer any refraction and come out of the
lens undeviated. The concept of optical centre is used in dealing with the formation and location
of images.

Demonstration

In a moderately dark room obtain a beam of sunlight through an opening in a window on a door.
Put a convex lens in tlie beam. Let students observe the converging effect of the lens. Burning
paper br cloth or feeling heat on the hand with a convex lens are easily denlonstrable.

Now put a concave lens in the beam. Let student observe what happens? Divergence of light by
a conawe lens can be delllollstrated by using a Ray box (snloke box). Use of ray box enables
studeilt to see the incident rays diverging ~vliilepassing through it.

The studeilts inay be encouraged to perfornl the experiments with convex lens and concave lens.
The experiments can be arranged as individual activities, group activities and project assign-
ments. Students inay bring used spectaclesfroin lioine. Then ask them to see the objects by using
convex lens and concave lens. Discuss their observations. They would be able to make difference
bet~ve&n the convex lens and concave lens.

Demonstrate tlie iinage forination by using a burning candle on one side of a convex lens and a
cardboard screen on the other side of it. Schematic diagram is given in Figure 6.34.

Fig. 6.34

Move the burning candle nearer the lens and let student observe what happens. Let them recorded
thc observations. Let thein see that by changing the position of the candle image is not always
obtained in the screen. (Fig. 6.35.)

-
Fig. 6.35
1 From the observations the inferences can be made that : W - w e
Formation by Mirron
nml Lenses
i) As the object moves nearer the lens, the image moves farther and farther away from
it until it can no longer be seen. The Figure 6.35 helps in understanding in which the
vertical lines called A, B, C, D, E, F represent the respective images of the objects
a, b, c, d, e, f on the other side of the convex lens.
ii) At first, the image is smaller in size than the object. But as the latter is moved nearer
the convex lens, the size of the image increases till it becomes so much larger than
the object that the screen cannot contain it.
iii) Wlie~ithe object is too near the convex lens the inlage.cannot be collected on the
screen.
iv) That all images are real provided they are not too near the convex lens.
V) When the object is nearer the convex lens than its focus (i.e. when it is betwee; the
lens and its focus) the image formed is no longer real but virtual. It is also erect and
enlarged.

t When the rays from an object after refraction through a lens actually meet at a point, the image
so formed is called real image. When they simply appear to diverge, instead of actually meeting,
the image formed is called virtual image.

Sign Conventions for u, v and f

All distances are measured from the optical centre as origin.

Distances measured in the direction of the incident rays are taken as positive.
Distances measured opposite to the direction of the incident rays are taken as negative.
As per this sign convention ask students to tell which one is negative and which one
is positive'?
When this sign convention is adopted, the focal length f for a convex lens becomes
positive and u is always negative.

6.5.2 Position, Size and Nature of the Image Formed by a Convex Lens

To determine the position, size and the nature of the image formed by a convex lens draw ray
diagrams. Use deductive approach to teach this. Making arguments and applying rules for
formation of image help students find out the position, size and nature of the image.

IMAGE (A'B') FORMED BY A CONVEX LENS FI AND F2 BEING FOCI FOR

VARIOUS POSITIONS OF OBJECT(AB)

Position of Position Nature and

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram
Image Image
1. At infinity At the Real, very
focus F, small and
inverted
Discuss the rule of image fornlation.
Ask the students the nature of image
distance v and focal length f.

Fig. 6.36
Teucldng of Physics
Position of Position Nature and
the Object of the size of the Ray Diagrain
I
Image Iillage
2. Beyond Between Real, and
2F, F, and 2F2 dimillishcd

Discuss the ray diagra111step by step.

Clarify the t\ko focal lengths of a
coilvex lei~s.As per sign coilve~ltion
V ' , It = , f =
Discuss the nature of distances.

Fig. 6.37

Pbsltlon of Positioil Nature and

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagram
Ilnage Image
3. At 2F, At 2F, Real. salnc
size and
inverted
As per sign convention i~atureof
object distance u =
nature of image distance v =
nature of focal Icngth =

I
Fig. 6.38

1
1

Position of Pos~lion Naturc and

the Object of tlle size of the Ray Dlagraln
Illlage Image
Real,
-
4 Between Beyond
F, and 2F, 2F, enlarged
and
inverted

Fig. 6.39

I
 L i ~-t Image
Position of Position Nature and Formaticw~by Mirrors
the Object of the size of llle Ray Diagram and Lenses
Image Image
5 . At Focus At Real, very
F, il~finity largc and
inverted

Fig. 6.40

Position of Position Nature and

the Object of the size of the Ray Diagranl
Inlage Image
6. Between On tlle Virtual,
F, and the same enlarged
optic centre side of and erect A'
0 of the
convex object
lens
Discuss the nature of
Object distance u =
Image distance v =
Focal length f = Fig. 6.41
Discuss the image formation;
magnification. erect and virtual image.

Discuss and introduce the idea of a convex lens as magnifier, siillple nlicroscope.

6.5.3 Position, Size and Nature of the Image Formed by a Concave Lens

Now perfornl the experiments with a concave lens.

1. Hold the concave lens in the sunshine (as done in the case of convex lens).
2. Try to collect the image of a well-lit house or tree or any object.
3. See the letters of a book tl~rouglla concave lens.
4. Change the position of the candle, concave lens and screen (as done in the case of a
convex lens).

Fig. 6.42

41
Teaching of Physics Help students in recording the observations

From the obsenrations, the inferences can be made that :

1. Paper or clot11 will not burn, no matter how long one holds the concave lens under
llle brightest sunshine (virtual image of sun will be formed so it cannot be collected).
No image of a well-lit house or tree can be collected in the screen by a concave lens,
ho nlatter how one tries.
2. Thc letters of a book seen through a concave lens appears smaller in size. They appear
s~nallerand snlaller as the lens is inoved nearer to the eye.

The concave lens produces virtual image, erect image and image of the size smaller
thiln the object.

Discuss ray diagram stcp by slcp. Discuss sign convention for u, v and f.

Wethqdologvuscd :The inductiveanddeductive methods hwebeen reinlbrccd. Demonstration,

discussion. group activity, individual activity. skills such as drawing diagrams, applying rules
to fi~ldout the solutions in the new situations. have also been emphasised.

~ o t k s: ;I)\Yritc your ;Illsncrs i n tllc space gl\.cn helo\\.

b) Col~~parc your ilns\\.crs \\it11 Ihosc g i \ , c ~;rl~tllc cnd ol' tllc unl!
I3 'T'lrcrc is a grcal dcal of si~i~ilarity
bct\\.cc~~the conc;~\'cICIIS i111dtllc COIIVCS
n~irror.Co~n~ncnt. (Find out dissi~~~ililrittes
and s~ln~inritics,
Ibcus. rrllilgc fornla-
lloll - all CilSCS)

14 W~thll~eIwlp oC ;I d~agran~.
cupln~otlrc tcrlus: focal Ic11gl11.pnllc~p;~l
a u s of a
con\ c\- Icnx
6.6 APPLICATIONS OF REFRACTION 0 1 LIGHT IN Light - Image
Funnution by Mirrors
DAILY LIFE
The i~nportanceof refraction of light has already been discussed in this unit. In this article
comlnm examples based on refraction phenomenon are lo bc illustrated and understood.

Main Teaching PointsIConcepts to he taught

Tl~eillusionofabe~itstick
The real and apparent depth

The descriptive (narrative) approach has been adopted to esplain rlie observations.

The reel and apparent depth

Place a coin at the bottom of water in a bucket. Try to pick it up. You wo~11ddip your hand inside
the bucket. thinking the water is quite sh;1llou7but you \auld find, to your surprise that though
the sleeve of your shirt as deep in water, yoilr hand had not yet redched the coin. The deptli of
a bucket of water appears less than it actually it is. How is this explained'?

To explain this considerthe Figure6.43 below. Suppose0 is tliecoin at thebottom ofwaterwhose

surface is AB. We know that to find the positionof an object, we have to draw two rays from the
object and find out what happens to them. Drawn two rays OC and OD. Sincethese rays are going
from a denser medium (water) to less dense medium (air). the ray OC is bent away from the normal
CG in the direction CF, and the ray OD is bent in the direction DE. These rays diverge, and to
an eye they look that the rays are coming from the point I where these meet when they are
produccd backwards. The point 1, therefore. is the virtual image of the object (coin) 0 . Since AB
is the surface of the watcr, the image I is nearer the surface than the object 0 . Join 01and produce
it to meet the surface AB at K. Tl~cnOK is called the real depth of the coin and IK the apparelit
depth. Theapparent depth is less than the real depth, i.e. the water appears sllallower than it really
is.

Fig. 6-43 :Deep water appears shallow.

The illusion of r bent stick

Why dws a straight stick appear bent in water ? To explain it. cons~derrhe Figure 6.44 below.

ABC is a straight stick or ruler placed in water in a slanting position. The surface of the water
is XY and the eye is placed in position E. The eye would see the portion AB by direct rays through
air as shown by the cones of rays. AE and BE, but the portion BC is seen through water. As
explained above in the caseof thecoin, end C ofthe stick will appear to the eye tobeat D as shown
in the diagram. Thus, the eye sees the straight stick ABC as a bent stick ABD.
43
 Fig. 6.44 :Apparent bending of a straight stick in water.

o ~ ~ : Inductive rnetl~odhas been e~llployedto make obsen7ations. The observa-

~ e t h d d o l used
tioils have also been explained by using deductive approach. The bending of stick and apparent
depth can be demnonstrated, by sinlple experiments. Discussions can then, bring more clarity.

Chcclc Your Pro,"1-CIS

Notes : <I) Wr~tcpour ans\qers In the sp;~ceglvcn below.
b) Co~iip~lrc
your ::Ins\\crs \\it\\ tbnsc g ~ \ c ;~~it l ~ ccnd of i l ~ cu!rr!
15 Is Ir poss~blc:to te;lc:l~rcli,tcl~ol~
\rill~outob,cr\,~llons' Dcsc~lbcioiir .lllhncr

I I Rcad rl~cFollon.i~~p zarcfr~ll!.. Rcad i1gai11; ~ n d;~gilint l i l \ O ; I ~,rr~tfcl.:;~,t!id frrlly. 1

The ;~nglcof inc~dcnce; I I I ~; I I I ~ I C 01. rcrri~ctiot:~
;ISC corrcl;~!etl \ t i ! l ? c;rzlr orhcr. 1
C I I S C I ~c e r i ~ eI ~I t I IS i I St o11' i 4 I 1
ray A 0 gots rcrractcd illong OA'. tlic angle of rclr:lctlol~being ;!I-c:c!cr t ~ I ; ~~lrc I Iuoglc
I
or i~rcidcl~cc.
!
'T'hc ray startiag from tlle I ~nnlcrscdportlol~ oCtlic stick ;Ire bcr;~:I\\,:\\t'ro111tllc unr~llul
on clncryllg fro~n{lie\vatcr IO t l ~ ec\.c I P ~ C rays siilrling froin :I puillt k3 on thc stick I
ilppcar 90 comc l'rom C. rllc poll:~t\vllcrc tllc rcfraclcd ray.; ~llci'l\tiicl~prociucsd
b.'12. ~r,trd.
.. In tllis \~;iycj.cn part of tllc stick \\liicl~1s ~lnilcr!lit :v;lter i s .ipp:~rer~tl!

Fig. 6.45 :Refraction when the angle of incidence k less than the critical angle.
1
 Light - Intage
0.46 the ray BO gcts refracted along tllc surface of the water so that the angle Fonnrtiion by Mirrors
of incidence I S called cnlic;~langle and Lenses

in F~guri:6.47 no part of the rap CO gcts refracted 111totlie water Tliis phenoll~enonis
ci~lledcnr,rl lutcrnal rcflrct~oli
Thc tolal iiitcrlial rcllcclion is ;I spccial casc of refraction. Whcn the ground is strongly
licatedb! the sun. the layers ofair l r i coliract with it bcconlc hotter than tliose at a slightly
grcatcr height. Tllc densir! oftl~cllotairbcing Icss. its rcfraciivc t~ldcsbeco~licslower than
that of 111elaycrs aboveandlieilce tllc coriditio~ifavours~l~e~otal internal rcflection oflight
withlntllc atmospllere i t s shown in Figurc 0.48 and furthcr illustrated in Fig. 6.49 (a)
;tt1d (b).

I Fig. 6.46 Fig. 6.47

I
I

I Light from the sky

Hot layer of air

Ground
Fig. 6.48 :Total internal reflection in the atmosphere.

Less ColJ air ,/

/
,

Eye

Fig. 6.49 (a)

,W L.ess hot

- 9
/
. . Earth surface

"....
Fig. 6.49 (b)

~ i6-49 . & (b): An illusion due to the total internal reflection.

~ : (a)

45
 a ) The apparent time of suilrisc and sunsct.
.....................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................
b) Twinkling or slilrs.
...................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

O) Tlle mirage.
...................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................

6.7 LET US SUM UP

1. Light falling on a surface may be transmitted, absorbed or reflected.
2. The reflection of light depends on the nature of the surface and the angle at which ligh~t
strikes the surface.
3. The formations of images depend on the laws of reflection.
I. The images are either real or virtual.
5. A real image is one tllrougll which the rays of light actually pass while in case of
virtual image the rays appear to pass from it. A real image can be formed on a screen
while a virtual image cannot.
6. Spherical mirrors may be considered to be made up of a large number of tiny mirror
strips, arranged in inclined fashion, each one obeying the laws of reflection for plane
mirrors.
-
7. There are two types of spherical (curved) mirrors viz. concave and convex. For a Light - 1m.t0
concave mirror, the principal focus and the focal length are real while for a convex Fonnntion by ~irron
mirror they are virtual. olld LRMea

8. When light passes from one medium to another, the direction of the rays undergoes
bending, at the boundary, for angle of incidence other than 0". This phenomenon is
known as refraction.
9. The operation of any optical instrument that uses lenses, mirrors or prisms, whether
it is a pair of spectacles or an astronomical telescope depends essentially on production
of certain changes in the direction of rays of light. (refraction)
10. The purpose of a lens is to bend the rays usually in order to form an image
11. Lenses thicker at the centre are know1 as converging lenses and those that are thicker
at the edges are called diverging lenses.
12. The position, size and nature of an image can be found out by following the rules of
refraction and reflection, experimentally, mathematically and also by using the
graphical method.
13. Mirrors and lenses are used in optical instruments such as telescope, periscope
projectors, microscope, binoculars, cameras and spectacles.

6.8 UNIT-END EXERCISES

1. a) Compare the image formation by concave mirror and convex lens. What are the
conclusions?
b) Compare the image formation by convex mirror and concave lens. What are the
conclusions?
c) "Different sign conventions are used". One convention has been mentioned in the
unit. Is there any other convention'? Go through textbooks on Physics to find out.
d) Answer some of the questions, generally found in the textbooks such as:
What is the radius of curvative of a plane mirror '? (Infinity.)
List two differences between real and virtual image.
How many images are formed by two plane mirrors inclined at an angle of
90" ?
How are plane mirrors used in Kaleidoscope and Periscope ?
Activities
1. Suppose there is no laboratory yet you have to teach reflection by spherical mirrors,
refraction by lenses using demonstration, group activity and an individual activity,
then what will you do? ExpIain in detail.
Efforts are to be made to collect used concave mirrors, convex mirrors, concave lenses
and convex lenses.
2. Make a Microscope, with the help of convex lenses of a suitable focal length. Figures
A and B clarify the principle of microscope.

Fig. A :Image formed by a convex lem when the object Fig. B :A ray diagram through the lemes in a
is placed between the lem and the focal point. micmcope.
 3. Make an astronomical telescope by using two convex lenses. (distance between the two
lenses to be the sum of focal lengths of the two lenses.) F i g ~ r eC nlay help in
constn~ctionof a tclcscope.

Fig. C :Image formation in a telescope.

4. i) Make a ray box. Try to use it while teaching and performing experiments.
ii) Collect or ask students to collect sonle used lenses filled i n the spectacles. Find
out which lens is used for \vliich defects of vision.
5. Draw diagrams on a white sheet in order to make charts. By drawing diagrams show
the centrcs of cunraturc. prii~cipalfocus and focal length ill the case of concave and
convex mirror. Use the chart 111 your teaching work.
6. Explain discover?. approach of teaching Physics, besides examples illustrated in the
unit. Take a topic to be laught using discovery approach.
7. Help studmts ~nakea Periscope. They will e11.joy making a Periscope. Help them in
iipprcciating the ose of law of reflection in co~lstnlctlo~l
of Periscope. Students will
Appreciate the kno\\lcdge or Physics bciilg used in daily life.
8. Study the forllratioll or image by a concave mirror when the distance of the ob-ject from
thc mirror is varied. Take a collcave mirror, an optical bench with its three up rights,
meter scalc. clanlps clc. to hold the mirror, candlc and screen on the up r~ghts.(Take
lrelp of a book on practical Physics.) If optical bench is not available tl~cnmodificd
;~rrangcment]nay be made.
9. Whenever light travcls fro111 one point to another it always selects that path which
takes the shortest timc. Cons~dcra si~npleproblem. A bop wishes to run from point
A in a pond lo a point B on land. There are three paths APB, AQB and ARB. Out
of these three paths, \vliicli pat11 t l ~ cboy shotdd follow to c o w the distance i n shortest
tinled?Explaiil the idca "Light bends its path to save timc."

Fig. D :Which of the three paths takes the shortest time ?

48
10. Concave mirrors perforin the same functions as converging lenses, convex mirrors the Light - hnage
Fon~r~Honby Mirrors
same ones as diverging lenses. Explain. sad Lenses
11. a) Some people cannot see distant objects. Tlie iinagc of distant object is not forined
the retina but at a point front of it.
011

Suggest appropriate lens (Concave lens diverges the ray to being the image at
the retina).

Near sighted eye

Fig. E

b) Sonie people cannot see nearby objects. The image of nearby object is not formed on
the retinue but behind the retina. Suggest appropriate lens. Convex lens converges
the rays to focus then at retina.

Far sighted eye

Fig. :Defects of vision and their correction by appropriate spectacles

Clioose the correct answer:

12. Tlie shadow of a cloud on the ground is tlic sanle size and shape as the cloud itself
because the suns rays are :
a) Practically parallel
b) Not very numerous
c) Highly diverging
d) All coming to a single point
13. A convex mirror niakes a good rear view mirror for a car because :
a) It forms erect. reduced images
b) Its image can be throcvn on a screen
c) It does iiot form dimillislied iniages
d) It has no focal point

6.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

1. i) 6.11 Scattering of rays on uneven surface.
ii) 6.12 Uniform reflection oil even plain sufiice.
d
Tenclhrp, of Physics

3. For an idcal ~uirrortherc sllould be nlasinlu~nregular reflection.

4. Plane mirror.
5. 5 0 cm.
6. i) False iii) T n ~ e
ii) 1 False iv) True
7. a) - (v)
b) - (ill)
C) - (vi) .
d) - (ii)
e) - (9
f) - (iii)
I l l
8. By using thc for~uula -+
I1
-
l'
= - we know a) iinagc will be forillcd at 20 cnl

(same point) rcal. invcrled, salnc size, b) at 100 cm.. virtual, diminished. erect.
9. a)
10. 11 bends without deviation.
11. Towards, away. The higher the refractive index of a inedilun the larger is the bending
of the refracted ray in that ~ncdium.
12. Ref, Fig. 6.23.
13. Comcave lens and convcx inirror follow the same principle in the fornlation of image
wh$n the object are placed in lront of them.
Similarity
a) objact at F and pole - image is erect and virtual.
b) ob-ject at focus - inlage at i~~finity.
c) at C - image is formed at C only.
Difference
a) Onti is a inirror and other is a lens.
b) In ltllrror image is Ior~uedby reflection whereas in lens image is formed by refraction.

Principal axis

Fig. G
 '11 Focal length - Distance between optical ccnlrc ( 0 ) iind rocl~s(F, alid F,) of the Liaht - Image
lens is callcd its fowl lenb.lh. Furmution by Mirrors
a d Lenses
b) Principal axis - Lint passing tlirougl~thc optical ccntre of \ens. and perpendicular
to the lens.
I
15 It is always bet~crto teach refraction wit11 practical csarllplc becwse objects seen
I
though refraction havc an "apparent" position. For ; ~ nesample, if an object is placed
in a denser nlediunl and seen fro111 a rarcr nlcdium. the objcct will be seen at a raised
position. Coin kept at the botlo~llof a glass appears raised when water is poured over
it.
16. a) Yes, the actual tinie of sunrisc and sunsct. iv11cu obsenfcd. diffcrs. This is
because of the titue taken by the rays after pissing through various lager of air,
to reach our cyc. 1111s is callcd apparent timc
b) Stilrs twl~iklebccausc they arc placed :I[ a grc:It dist;alce and the rays are emitted
by tile stars. reaclles us. after pilssing through various layers of air and
undergoing proccss of refraction. Thc atmosphere of the earth is never still, there
being always currents or boll1 hot and cold air at all lieiglils. Thus. the rays from
the stars gct bcnt fro111 side to sidc by the time they reach the observer
I Somnetimes, suddcn variation in the interveil~ligatnlospllere deflects the rays to
one side so that for a very short time thc light is partially (or sonlcti~llescven
wholly) cut off froill the observer. This gives rise to the twinkling of stars The
moon docs not twinklc because it is an estended source as near tlle earth. The
fluctuations occur due to refraction are not seen clearly by our eyes.
C) A curious phenomenon that you might have noticed when travelling on a concrete
asphalt road on a hot sumiller day is tl~atthe road at a distance appears to bc covered
wtll pools of water The pllcnoillenon is bcst obscrved when tlle cye is nearly on a
level with tlle road, just as tlle car reaches the summit of hill. One can then see even
the rcflection of t11c sky or any brightly coloured object at a d~stance.But as one
approacll the region wllcre the watcr appears to be. one realises that in fact there is
no water at all and that it wasjust an illusion. This pl~enomenonis known as a mirage.
The scorcl~edsands of a desert show the mirage in a most striking fasllion and you
must have heard stories of desert travellers who have bcen deceived by this optical
illusion.
When the ground is strongly heated by tlle sun, the layers of air in colltact with it
becolne hotter than those at a slightly greater height. The density'oftl~ehot air b e ~ n g
less. its refractive index becolnes louler than that of tllc layers above and hence llle
co~lditionfavoursthc tom1 Internal reflection ofligllt \\vt11in the atmosphere as shown
in Fig 6.49 (a). A ray A 0 gcts totally inter~lallyreflected at tllc lager of hot air,
provided its angle of incidence has to be large. thc mirage is usually seen only at a
distance. In spccial circumstances. it can be see11at close quarters, but only IFthe line
of sight is nearly on a level with the ground.
In reality. however, one cannot speak of a sharply defined layer of liot air separated
from the coldair above it. There is a gradual transition from the llot to the cold air.
Thus, instead of the ray being sharply refleclcd back, it takes a cunred path as shown
in Fig. 6 49 (b).

5.10 SUGGESTED READINGS

NCERT: Textbooks on Phvsics for CIoss X and ,UI.
Textbook on Physics, Graduation Level Correspond~ngto the Topic Taughl.
Practical Physics, Any Book for Class X1 and X11 Sor Correspondl~lgTopics
NCERT : Class-VIII Scrence f i t . for Ray (Smoke) Pros.
Gilbert Rowell, Sydney Herbert : Ph-v,~rcv,Caillbridge U~liversityPress
Keith Gibbs : Advanced P11y.acs