Reflection of light occurs when light bounces off a surface. The angle at which light strikes a surface (incident angle) is equal to the angle at which it reflects (reflection angle). This principle is known as the law of reflection. Reflection is responsible for making objects visible, as light reflects off them and enters our eyes. Smooth surfaces like mirrors cause regular reflection, while rough surfaces cause diffused reflection.
Reflection of Light
Refraction of light is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different density, like from air to water or glass. This change in speed causes the light to change direction. The degree of bending depends on the angle at which the light hits the surface and the refractive index of the two mediums.
This phenomenon is responsible for effects like the bending of a straw in water or the formation of rainbows.
Refraction from Rarer to Denser Medium
Refraction from Denser to Rarer Medium
When light passes through a rectangular glass slab, it undergoes refraction at both the air-to-glass and glass-to-air surfaces. As the light enters the slab, it slows down and bends towards the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface) due to the higher refractive index of glass compared to air. Upon exiting the slab, the light speeds up and bends away from the normal.
Although the light changes direction twice, the overall path of the light remains parallel to its original direction, with a slight displacement. This effect demonstrates the bending of light as it passes through different media.
Refraction through rectangular glass slab
A concave mirror forms an image by reflecting light rays that converge after striking its curved surface. If the object is placed beyond the focal point, the mirror forms a real, inverted, and reduced image.
If the object is closer to the mirror than the focal point, the image is virtual, upright, and magnified. The exact nature of the image depends on the object's distance from the mirror's focal point. The concave mirror focuses light to a single point, creating clear and distinct images.
Image formation by concave mirror
A convex mirror always forms a virtual, upright, and reduced image, regardless of the object's distance. This is because the mirror's outward curvature causes light rays to diverge. The reflected rays appear to come from a single point behind the mirror, creating a virtual image.
The image formed is smaller than the actual object, making convex mirrors useful for wide-angle views, such as in car side mirrors.
Image formation by convex mirror
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Important Diagrams: Ray Optics - Light: Reflection and Refraction
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A convex lens can form different types of images based on the object's position. If the object is beyond twice the focal length (2F), the image is real, inverted, and reduced. If it’s at 2F, the image is real, inverted, and same size. When the object is between F and 2F, the image is real, inverted, and magnified. If the object is inside F, the image is virtual, upright, and magnified. Convex lenses are used in magnifiers and eyeglasses.
Image formation by convex lens
A concave lens always forms a virtual, upright, and reduced image, no matter where the object is placed. The diverging light rays from the object appear to originate from a single point behind the lens. The image is always smaller than the object and is formed on the same side as the object.
Concave lenses are commonly used in applications like eyeglasses for nearsightedness.
Image formation by concave lens
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1. What is the law of reflection of light? | ![]() |
2. How does refraction occur through a rectangular glass slab? | ![]() |
3. How is an image formed by a concave mirror? | ![]() |
4. What is the image formed by a convex mirror? | ![]() |
5. How is an image formed by a convex lens? | ![]() |