LIGHT-Reflection and Refraction

(Note: Corresponding (ray) diagrams must be drawn along with these definitions)
Reflection of Light:
Reflection of light is the phenomenon of coming back of light in the same medium, after striking a plane or
polished surface.
Incident ray:
Light which falls on the surface of the mirror is called the incident ray.
Reflected ray:
Ray of light which goes back in the same medium after striking the mirror is called the reflected ray.
Normal:
Normal is the line drawn perpendicular to the surface at point of incidence.
Angle of incidence:
Angle of incidence is the angle between the incident ray and the normal to the surface at point of incidence.
Angle of reflection:
Angle of reflection is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal to the surface at point of incidence.
Spherical mirror:
Spherical mirror is the mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a sphere.
Concave mirror:
In a spherical mirror, if the reflecting surface is curved inwards and if the outer bulged surface is coated with
silver and paint, then it is a concave mirror. The reflecting surface of the concave mirror faces the center of the
sphere.
Convex mirror:
In a spherical mirror, if the reflecting surface is curved outwards and if the inner curved surface is coated with
silver and paint, then it is a convex mirror. The center of the sphere is behind the reflecting surface of the
convex mirror.
Pole of the spherical mirror:
Pole of the spherical mirror is the centre of the reflecting surface of the spherical mirror (P).
Centre of curvature of the spherical mirror:
Centre of curvature of the spherical mirror is the centre of the sphere in which the spherical mirror forms a
part of it. (C)
Radius of curvature of the spherical mirror:
Radius of curvature of the spherical mirror is the radius of the sphere in which the spherical mirror forms a
part of it. (R)
Principal axis:
Principal axis is the imaginary line passing through the centre of curvature(C) and pole (P) of the spherical
mirror
Aperture of the spherical mirror:
Aperture of the spherical mirror is the diameter of the reflecting surface of the spherical mirror.
Principal focus of concave mirror:
When rays of light fall on a concave mirror, after reflection they intersect or meet at a point on principal axis.
This point is called principal focus of concave mirror. (F)
Principal focus of convex mirror:
When rays of light falls on a convex mirror, after reflection they appear to come from (diverge) from a point on
principal axis. This point is called principal focus of convex mirror. (F)
Principal focus of spherical mirror:
It is the point on principle axis, when rays of light parallel to principle axis meet (in case of concave mirror) or
appear to meet (in case of convex mirror), after refection. (F)
Focal length of the spherical mirror:
Focal length of the spherical mirror is the distance between the pole (P) and the principal focus (F) of the
spherical mirror. (f) (f = R/2)
Object distance:
It is the distance of the object from the pole of the mirror. (u)
Image distance:
It is the distance of the image from the pole of the mirror. (v)
Mirror formula:
1/f = 1/v +1/u
u → always negative(-) for concave and convex mirror
v→ Positive (+) for virtual image
Negative (-) for real image
R and f → Positive (+) for convex mirror
Negative (-) for concave mirror
Magnification:
The relative extent to which the image of the object is magnified with respect to the object size.
Magnification is the ratio of height of the image (h') to the height of the object (h).
Also equal to the ratio of the image distance (v) to the object distance (u) with the negative sign.
m=h'/h : m= -v/u
If m is positive (+ve) → Virtual and erect image
If m is negative (-ve) → Real and inverted image
If m > 1 → enlarged image
If m < 1 → diminished image
If m = 1 →same size of the object
 REFRACTION
Refraction:
When the light travels obliquely from one medium to another, the direction of propagation of light changes in
the second medium. This phenomenon is known as refraction of light.
The change in direction of light when it passes from one medium to another is called refraction of light.
Optically denser medium:
Medium is optically denser if the speed of the light is less in the medium.
Optically rarer medium:
Medium is optically rarer if the speed of the light is more in the medium.
Snell's Law of refraction:
The ratio of sine of angle of incidence (i) to the sine of angle of refraction (r) is a constant, for the light of
given colour and for the given pair of media.
sin i / sin r = constant = refractive index of second medium with respect to first medium.
The refractive index:
 When ray of light travels from one medium to another, and if 'i' is angle of incidence and 'r' is the angle of
refraction, the refractive index of second medium with respect to first medium n₂₁ =sin i/ sin r
 The refractive index of second medium with respect to first medium (n₂₁) is the ratio of the speed of light in
medium 1 (v₁)to the speed of the light in medium 2 (v₂).
n₂₁ = v₁ / v₂
 When the first medium is air, the absolute refractive index of second medium with respect to air (n) is the
ratio of the speed of light in air(c) to the speed of the light in medium (v).
n= c/ v
Lens:
Lens is a transparent material bound by two surfaces of which one or both are spherical.
Convex lens:
Convex is a transparent material bound by 2 spherical surfaces bulging outwards. Convex lens is thicker at
the middle than at the edges.
Concave lens:
Concave lens is a transparent material bound by 2 spherical surfaces curved inwards. Concave lens is thicker at
the edges than at the middle
Optical Center:
Optical center is the center of the lens (O). The light passing through the optical center suffers no refraction.
Center of curvature:
Lens has 2 spherical surfaces which forms the part of a sphere. The center of this sphere is the center of
curvature of the lens. The lens has 2 centres of curvatures (C1, C2) on both sides of the lens.
Radius of curvature:
Lens has 2 spherical surfaces which forms the part of a sphere. The radius of this sphere is the radius of
curvature of the lens (R) .
Principal axis:
It is the imaginary line joining the center of the curvature (C) and the optical center of the lens (O)
Principal focus of Convex lens:
When rays of light parallel to principle axis fall on a convex lens, after refraction they converge to a point on
principal axis on other side of the lens. This point is called principal focus of convex lens. It has 2 principal focii
(F1, F2) on both sides of the lens.
Principal focus of concave lens:
When rays of light fall on a concave lens, after refraction they appear to diverge from a point on principal axis.
This point is called principal focus of concave lens. It has 2 principal focii (F1, F2) on both sides of the lens.
Focal length of the lens:
Distance between the optical center (O) and the principal focus (F) of the lens. (f = R/2)
The focal length of convex lens is real and the concave lens is virtual.
Object distance:
It is the distance of the object from the optical center of the lens (u)
Image distance:
It is the distance of the image from the optical center of the lens (v)
Mirror formula:
1/f = 1/v - 1/u
u → always negative(-) for concave and convex lens
v → Positive (+) for real image : Negative (-) for virtual image
R and f → Positive (+) for convex lens: Negative (-) for concave lens
Magnification:
Magnification is the relative extent to which the image of the object is magnified with respect to the object
size.
Magnification is the ratio of height of the image (h') to the height of the object (h).
Magnification is also equal to the ratio of the image distance (v) to the object distance (u).
m = h'/h : m = v/u
If m is positive (+ve) → Virtual and erect image
If m is negative (-ve) → Real and inverted image
If m > 1 → enlarged image if m < 1 → diminished image If m = 1 →same size
Power of the lens:
Power of the lens is the degree of convergence or divergence of light rays achieved by the lens. Power of the
lens is the reciprocal of focal length.
P = 1/f
The SI unit of power of lens is Dioptre (D)
Dioptre:
1 dioptre is the power of the lens whose focal length is 1 m. 1 D = 1 m-1