CHAPTER - 10

LIGHT – REFLECTION AND REFRACTION

LIGHT
An object reflects light that falls on it. This reflected light when received by our eyes,
enables us to see things.

Reflection of light
Reflection of light is the phenomenon of bouncing back of light in the same medium
on striking the surface of any object.
There are two types of reflection:
1. Regular reflection or Specular Reflection
2. Irregular reflection or Diffuse Reflection

Regular Reflection: When the reflecting surface is smooth and well polished, the
parallel rays falling on it are reflected parallel to one another, the reflected light goes
in one particular direction. This is Regular reflection or Specular reflection see below
figure.

Irregular reflection: When the reflecting surface is rough, the parallel rays falling on
it reflected in different direction, as shown in below fig. Such a reflection is known as
diffuse reflection or irregular reflection.

LAWS OF REFLECTION OF LIGHT

According to the laws of Reflection of light,

(i) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and
(ii) The incident ray, the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence and the
reflected ray, all lie in the same plane.

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These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surfaces including
spherical surfaces.

OBJECTS
Anything which gives out light rays either its own or reflected by it is called an
object.

LUMINOUS OBJECTS: The objects like the sun, other stars, electric bulb, tube-
light etc. which emit their own light are called luminous objects.
NON – LUMINOUS OBJECTS: The objects which do not emit light themselves but
only reflect or scatter the light which falls on them, are called non-luminous objects.
A flower, chair table, book, trees, etc are all non-luminous objects.

IMAGES
Image is an optical appearance produced when light rays coming from an object are
reflected from a mirror (or refracted through lens).

REAL IMAGE
The image which can be obtained on a screen is called a real image. In a cinema hall,
we see the images of actors and actress on the screen. So, the images formed on a
cinema screen is an example of real images.

VIRTUAL IMAGE
The image which cannot be obtained on a screen is called a virtual image. A virtual
image can be seen only by looking into a mirror. The image of our face in a plane
mirror is an example of virtual image.

LATERAL INVERSION
When an object is placed in front of a plane mirror, then the right side of object
appears to become the left side of image; and the left side of object appears to become
the right side of image. This change of sides of an object and its mirror image is called
lateral inversion.
The phenomenon of lateral inversion is due to the reflection of light.

CHARACTERISTICS OF IMAGES FORMED BY PLAN E MIRRORS

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The characteristics of images formed by plane mirrors are:

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1. The image of real object is always virtual. Such image cannot be taken on a
screen.
2. The image formed in a plane mirror is always erect.
3. The size of the image in a plane mirror is always the same as the size of the
object.
4. The image formed in a plane mirror is as far behind the mirror, as the object is
in front of the mirror.
5. The image formed in a plane mirror is laterally inverted i.e. the left side of the
objects becomes the right side of the image and vice-versa.

SPHERICAL MIRROR
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 mirror and Convex
mirror.

CONCAVE MIRROR: A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the

reflection of light takes place at the concave surface (or bent-in surface).

CONVEX MIRROR: A convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the

reflection of light takes place at the convex surface (or bulging –out surface).

TERMS RELATED TO SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Centre of Curvature(C): The centre of curvature of a spherical mirror is the
centre of the hollow sphere of glass of which the spherical mirror is a part. It is
represented by letter ‘C’.
Pole(P): The pole of a spherical mirror is the centre of the mirror. It is represented
by letter ‘P’.
Radius of Curvature(R): The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is the
radius of the hollow sphere of glass of which the spherical is a part. It is
represented by the letter ‘R’.
Principal axis: The principal axis of a spherical mirror is the straight line passing
through the centre of curvature C and pole P of the spherical mirror, produced on
both sides.
Aperture: The aperture of a spherical mirror is the diameter of the reflecting surface
of the mirror.

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PRINCIPAL FOCUS OF A SPHERICAL 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. A concave mirror has a real focus. The focus of a concave mirror is in
front of the mirror. Since a concave mirror converges a parallel beams of light rays, it
is also called converging 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. A convex mirror has a virtual focus. The focus of a convex
mirror is situated behind the mirror. Since a convex mirror diverges a parallel beams
of light rays, it is also called diverging mirror.

Focal Length: The focal length of a spherical mirror is the distance between its pole
and principal focus. It is denoted by the letter ‘f’.

Relation between Radius of curvature and focal length of a spherical mirror

The focal length of a spherical mirror is equal to half of its radius of curvature.
R
f 
2
In other words, for spherical mirrors of small apertures, the radius of curvature is
found to be equal to twice the focal length.
R = 2f
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RULES FOR OBTAINING IMAGES FORMED BY SHPERICAL MIRRORS

The intersection of at least two reflected rays give the position of image of the point
object. Any two of the following rays can be considered for locating the image.

1. A ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, will pass through the principal
focus in case of a concave mirror or appear to diverge from the principal focus in
case of a convex mirror.

2. A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror or a ray which is
directed towards the principal focus of a convex mirror, after reflection, will
emerge parallel to the principal axis.

3. A ray passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in

the direction of the centre of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is
reflected back along the same path. The light rays come back along the same path
because the incident rays fall on the mirror along the normal to the reflecting
surface.

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4. A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the
mirror), on the concave mirror or a convex mirror , is reflected obliquely. The
incident and reflected rays follow the laws of reflection at the point of incidence
(point P), making equal angles with the principal axis.

FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONCAVE MIRROR

The type of image formed by a concave mirror depends on the position of object in
front of the mirror. There are six positions of the object:
Case–1: Object is in between P and F
When an object is placed between the pole(P) and focus(F) of a concave mirror, the
image formed is
(i) behind the mirror
(ii) virtual and erect and
(iii) larger than the object (or magnified)

Case–2: Object is at the focus(F).

When an object is placed at the focus of a concave mirror, the image formed is
(i) at infinity
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) highly magnified (or highly enlarged)

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Case–3: Object is in between focus(F) and centre of curvature(C)
When an object is placed between the focus(F) and centre of curvature(C) of a
concave mirror, the image formed is
(i) beyond the centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) larger than the object (or magnified)

Case–4: Object is at the centre of curvature(C)

When an object is placed at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, the image
formed is
(i) at the centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) same size as the object

Case–5: Object is beyond the centre of curvature(C)

When an object is placed beyond the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, the
image formed is
(i) between the focus and centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)

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Case–6: Object is at infinity.
When an object is placed at infinity of a concave mirror, the image formed is
(i) between the focus and centre of curvature
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) much smaller than the object (or highly diminished)

USES OF CONCAVE MIRRORS

1. Concave mirrors are commonly used in torches, search-lights and vehicles

headlights to get powerful parallel beams of light.
2. Concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors to see a larger image of the face.
3. The dentists use concave mirrors to see large images of the teeth of patients.
4. Concave mirrors are used as doctor’s head mirrors to focus light coming from a
lamp on to the body parts of a patient to be examined by the doctor.
5. Concave dishes are used in TV dish antennas to receive TV signals from the
distant communications satellite.
6. Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in solar
furnaces.

FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONVEX MIRROR

The type of image formed by a convex mirror depends on the position of object in
front of the mirror. There are six positions of the object:
Case–1: Object is placed between P and infinity
When an object is placed between pole and infinity in front of a convex mirror, the image
formed is
(i) between the pole and focus
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)

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Case–2: Object is at infinity.
When an object is placed at infinity of a convex mirror, the image formed is
(i) behind the mirror at focus
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) much smaller than the object (or highly diminished)

USES OF CONVEX MIRRORS

Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view (wing) mirrors in vehicles. These
mirrors are fitted on the sides of the vehicle, enabling the driver to see traffic behind
him/her to facilitate safe driving. Convex mirrors are preferred because they always
give an erect, though diminished, image. Also, they have a wider field of view as they
are curved outwards. Thus, convex mirrors enable the driver to view much larger area
than would be possible with a plane mirror.

QUESTIONS

1. The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is 20 cm. What is its focal length?
Ans. Here R = 20 cm

20
We know that f  f 
R 10cm 2

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MIRROR FORMULA

In a spherical mirror, the distance of the object from its pole is called the object
distance (u). The distance of the image from the pole of the mirror is called the image
distance (v). The distance of the principal focus from the pole is called the focal
length (f). There is a relationship between these three quantities given by the mirror
formula which is expressed as
1 1 1
f  v u

MAGNIFICATION

Magnification produced by a spherical mirror gives the relative extent to which the
image of an object is magnified with respect to the object size. It is expressed as the
ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object. It is usually represented by
the letter m. If h1 is the height of the object and h2 is the height of the image, then the
magnification m produced by a spherical mirror is given by

height of the image h2

m  height of the object m
h1

The magnification m is also related to the object distance (u) and image distance (v).
It can be expressed as:
h v
m 2 
h1 u
Points to be remembered:

 The height of the object is taken to be positive as the object is usually placed
above the principal axis.
 The height of the image should be taken as positive for virtual images. However,
it is to be taken as negative for real images.
 When the image is real, it is inverted so h2 is negative which results m is –ve. A
negative sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is real.
 When the image is virtual, it is erect so h2 is positive which results m is +ve. A
positive sign in the value of the magnification indicates that the image is virtual.

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 SIGN CONVENTION FOR SPHERICAL MIRRORS

The following sign convention is used for measuring various distances in the ray
diagrams of spherical mirrors:

1. Object is always placed to the left of mirror

2. All distances are measured from the pole of the mirror.
3. Distances measured in the direction of the incident ray are positive and the
distances measured in the direction opposite to that of the incident rays are
negative.
4. Distances measured above the principal axis are positive and that measured below
the principal axis are negative.

1. Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32

cm. Ans.
Ans. Here R = 32 cm
32
We know that f  f 
R 16cm 2

2
Hence, the focal length of the given convex mirror is 16 cm.

2. A concave mirror produces three times magnified (enlarged) real image of

an object placed at 10 cm in front of it. Where is the image located?
Ans. Here, magnification, m = –3,
object distance, u = –10 cm
and image distance, v = ?
Putting these values in the magnification formula for a mirror, we get
v  v  30cm
m    3  
u

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 v
10

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 NUMERICALS BASED ON CONVEX AND CONCAVE MIRROR

1. Find the focal length of a convex mirror of radius of curvature 1m.

2. Focal length of a convex mirror is 50 cm. What is its radius of curvature?
3. Radius of curvature of a concave mirror is 25 cm. What is its focal length?
4. A concave mirror produces 10 cm long image of an object of height of 2cm. What is
the magnification produced?
5. An object 1 cm high is held near a concave mirror of magnification 10. How tall will
be the image?
6. An object 4 cm in size is placed at a distance of 25 cm from a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm. Find the position, nature and height of the image.
7. A converging mirror forms a real image of height 4 cm, of an object of height 1 cm
placed 20 cm away from the mirror. Calculate the image distance. What is the focal
length of the mirror?
8. A 4.5 cm needle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm.
Give the location of the image and the magnification. Describe what happens as the
needle is moved farther from the mirror.
9. An arrow 2.5 cm high is placed at a distance of 25 cm from a diverging mirror of
focal length 20 cm., Find the nature, position and size of the image formed.
10. The image formed by a convex mirror of focal length 20cm is a quarter of the object.
What is the distance of the object from the mirror?
11. Find the size, nature and position of image formed by a concave mirror, when an
object of size 1cm is placed at a distance of 15cm. Given focal length of mirror is
10cm.
12. An object 2cm high is placed at a distance of 16cm from a concave mirror, which
produces 3cm high inverted image. What is the focal length of the mirror? Also, find
the position of the image.
13. An erect image 3 times the size of the object is obtained with a concave mirror of
radius of curvature 36cm. What is the position of the object?
14. A 2.5cm candle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 30cm.
Give the location of the image and the magnification.
15. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror of focal length 20cm. The image
formed is 3 times the size of the object. Calculate two possible distances of the object
from the mirror.
16. The image formed by a convex mirror is virtual, erect and smaller in size.

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17. A concave mirror produces a real image 10mm tall, of an object 2.5mm tall placed at
5cm from the mirror. Calculate focal length of the mirror and the position of the
image.
18. An object is placed at a large distance in front of a convex mirror of radius of
curvature 40cm. How far is the image behind the mirror?
19. An object is placed 15cm from a convex mirror of radius of curvature 90cm.
Calculate position of the image and its magnification.
20. The image formed by a convex mirror of focal length 30cm is a quarter of the object.
What is the distance of the object from the mirror?
21. When an object is placed at a distance of 60cm from a convex mirror, the
magnification produced is 1/2. Where should the object be place to get a
magnification of 1/3?
22. An object is placed 18cm front of a mirror. If the image is formed at 4cm to the right
of the mirror. Calculate its focal length. Is the mirror convex or concave? What is the
nature of the image? What is the radius of curvature of the mirror?
23. A convex mirror used for rear view on an automobile has a radius of curvature of 3m.
If a bus is located at 5m from this mirror, find the position, nature and magnification
of the image.
24. An object 3cm high is held at a distance of 50cm from a diverging mirror of focal
length 25cm. Find the nature, position and size of the image formed.
25. An converging mirror of focal length 20cm forms an image which is two times the
size of the object. Calculate two possible distances of the object from the mirror.
26. The linear magnification of a convex mirror of focal length 15cm is 1/3. What is the
distance of the object from the focus of the mirror?
27. The focal length of a convex mirror is 12.5 cm. How far is its centre of curvature (i)
from the pole (ii) from the focus.
28. Find the focal length of a concave mirror that produces four times larger real image of
an object held at 5cm from the mirror.
29. An object is held at 30cm in front of a convex mirror of focal length 15cm. At what
distance from the convex mirror should a plane mirror be held so that images in the
two images coincide with each other?
30. Draw any three ray diagrams to show how the size and nature of image of an object
change when it move from centre of curvature of concave mirror towards the pole of
the mirror.

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 REFRACTION OF LIGHT
The change in direction of light when it passes from one medium to another obliquely, is
called refraction of light. In other words, the bending of light when it goes from one
medium to another obliquely is called refraction of light. The refraction takes place
when light enters from air to water (see below figure).

The speed of light is different in different substances. The refraction of light is due to the
change in the speed of light on going from one medium to another. Thus, when light
goes from one medium to another, its speed changes. And this change in speed of
light causes the refraction of light.

MEDIUM
A transparent substance in which light travels is known as a medium. Medium can be
divided into two types:
1. Optically rarer medium: A medium in which the speed of light is more is
known as optically rarer medium (or less dense medium)
2. Optically denser medium: A medium in which the speed of light is less is
known as optically rarer medium (or more dense medium)
Glass is an optically denser medium than air and water.

RULES OF REFRACTION :
Rule-1 : When a light ray travels from a rarer medium to a denser medium, the light ray
bends towards the normal.

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Rule-2 : When a light ray travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium, the light
ray bends away from the normal

LAWS OF REFRACTION
According to laws of refraction of light.
(i) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the interface of two transparent media at
the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
(ii) The ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a constant, for the
light of a given colour and for the given pair of media. This law is also known as
Snell’s law of refraction.
If i is the angle of incidence and r is the angle of refraction, then,
sin
 constant . This constant value is called the refractive index of the second
i
sin
r
medium with respect to the first.

REFRACTIVE INDEX
The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of speed of light in vacuum to
the speed of light in the medium. It is represented by n.

Refractive speed of light in vacuum/air

c
 index of a medium, n  
speed of light in medium v
Both c and v are in m/s  Both v1, v2 are in m/s, n2, n1 have
no units
 Relative refractive index of medium 2 w.r.t. medium 1 is 2  1 1
1
n n2 
2
n 1

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 n2 v1 n1 v2
 

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 Snell’s law of refraction: When light travels from medium 1 to medium 2, then
1 n2 sin i
n2  
n1 sin r
 a
n real depth(x)
w 
apparent depth(a)
Both x and y are in metre or in cm.
 Velocity of light in vacuum/air is c = 3 x 108 m/s.

TWO REFRACTIONS THROUGH A RECTANGULAR GLASS SLAB

On passing through a rectangular glass slab, a ray of light suffers two refractions, one
while going from air to glass and the other while going from glass to air. Light
emerges from rectangular slab in a direction parallel to that in which it entered the
glass slab. However the final emergent ray is slightly shifted sideways from the
direction of original incident ray by a distance x called lateral shift.

The perpendicular distance between the original path of incident ray and the emergent
ray coming out of the glass slab is called lateral displacement of the emergent ray of
light. Lateral displacement depends mainly on three factors: angle of incidence,
thickness of glass slab and refractive index of glass slab. Actually lateral displacement
is directly proportional to (i) angle of incidence (ii) thickness of glass slab (iii)
refractive index of glass slab. Higher the values of these factors, greater will be the
lateral displacement. The angle which the emergent ray makes with the normal is
called the angle of emergence.

CONDITION FOR NO REFRACTION

Refraction will not take place under the following two conditions:
1. When light is incident normally on a boundary.
A ray of light traveling in medium 1 falls normally. Therefore angle of

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 incidence, I = 00.

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 According to Snell’s law.
sin i n2

sin r n1
n n n
or sin r  1 sin i  1 sin 00  1  0  0
n2 n2 n2
or r  0

Thus, there is not deviation in the ray at the boundary. Hence, no refraction
occurs when light is incident normally on a boundary of two media.

2. When the refractive indices of two media are equal.

When refractive index of medium 1 is equal to refractive index of medium 2
i.e. n1 = n2, then according to Snell’s law
sin i n2
sin 
r n1 
1
or sin i  sin r
or i  r
Hence no refraction occurs at the boundary that separates two media of equal
refractive indices.

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NUMERICALS

1. Light travels through water with a speed of 2.25 x 10 8 m/s. What is the refractive
index of water?
2. Light travels from rarer medium 1 to a denser medium 2. The angle of incident
and refraction are respectively 450 and 300. Calculate the (i) refractive index of
second medium with respect to the first medium and (ii) refractive index of
medium 1 with respect to the medium 2.
3. A pond of depth 20cm is filled with water of refractive index 4/3. Calculate
apparent depth of the tank when viewed normally.
4. How much time will light take to cross 2mm thick glass pane if refractive index of
glasses is 3/2?
5. Calculate speed of light in water of refractive index 4/3.
6. A ray of light passes from air to glass (n = 1.5) at an angle of 30 0. Calculate the
angle of refraction.
7. A ray of light is incident on a glass slab at an angle of 45 0. If refractive index of
glass be 1.6, what is the angle of refraction?
8. The refractive index of diamond is 2.47 and that of glass is 1.51. How much faster
does light travel in glass than in diamond?
9. The refractive index of glycerine is 1.46. What is the speed of light in air in air if
its speed in glecerine is 2.05 x 108 m/s?
10. The refractive index of glass is 1.6 and that of diamond is 2.4. Calculate (i)
refractive index of diamond with respect to glass and (ii) refractive index of glass
with respect to diamond.

11. Calculate speed of light in water of refractive index 4/3.

12. A ray of light passes from air to glass (n = 1.5) at an angle of 300. Calculate the
angle of refraction.
13. A ray of light is incident on a glass slab at an angle of 450. If refractive index of
glass be 1.6, what is the angle of refraction?
14. The refractive index of diamond is 2.47 and that of glass is 1.51. How much faster
does light travel in glass than in diamond?
15. The refractive index of glycerine is 1.46. What is the speed of light in air in air if
its speed in glecerine is 2.05 x 108 m/s?
16. The refractive index of glass is 1.6 and that of diamond is 2.4. Calculate (i)

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 refractive index of diamond with respect to glass and (ii) refractive index of glass
with respect to diamond.
17. A ray of light is travelling from glass to air. The angle of incidence in glass is 300
and angle of refraction in air is 600. What is the refractive index of glass w.r.t air?
18. A ray of light is travelling from air to water. What is the angle of incidence in air,
if angle of refraction in water is 450? Take refractive index of water = 1.32
19. A water tank appears to be 4 m deep when viewed from the top. If refractive index
of water is 4/3, what is the actual depth of the tank?
20. What is the real depth of a swimming pool when its bottom appears to be raised
by 1m? Given refractive index of water is 4/3.
21. A jar 15 cm long is filled with a transparent liquid. When viewed from the top, its
bottom appears to be 12cm below. What is the refractive index of the liquid?

SPHERICAL LENSES
A lens is any transparent material (e.g. glass) of an appropriate shape that can
take parallel rays of incident light and either converge the rays to a point or diverge
the rays from a point.
A transparent material bound by two surfaces, of which one or both surfaces
are spherical, forms a lens.
Some lenses will focus light rays to a single point. These lenses are called
converging or concave lenses. Other lenses spread out the light rays so that it looks
like they all come from the same point. These lenses are called diverging or convex
lenses. Lenses change the direction of light rays by refraction. They are designed so
that the image appears in a certain place or as a certain size. Lenses are used in
eyeglasses, cameras, microscopes, and telescopes.

CONVEX LENS

A lens may have two spherical surfaces, bulging outwards. Such a lens is called a
double convex lens. It is simply called a convex lens. It is thicker at the middle as
compared to the edges. Convex lens converges light rays. Hence it is called
converging lens.

CONCAVE LENS

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A double concave lens is bounded by two spherical surfaces, curved inwards. It is
thicker at the edges than at the middle. Such lenses diverge light rays and are called
diverging lenses. A double concave lens is simply called a concave lens.

TERMS RELATED TO SPHERICAL LENS

Principal Axis: The principal axis is the line which runs horizontally straight through
the optical centre of the lens. It is also sometimes called the optic axis. In other words,
an imaginary straight line passing through the two centres of the curvature of a lens is
called its principal axis.

Optical Centre: The optical centre (O) of a convex lens is usually the centre point of
the lens. The direction of all light rays which pass through the optical centre, remains
unchanged.
Centre of Curvature: A lens has two spherical surfaces. Each of these surfaces forms a part
of a sphere. The centers of these spheres are called centres of curvature of the lens.
The centre of curvature of a lens is usually represented by the letter C. Since there are two
centre’s of curvature, we may represent them as C1 and C2.

Aperture: The effective diameter of the circular outline of a spherical lens is called
its aperture. Lenses whose aperture is much less than its radius of curvature are
called thin lenses with small aperture.

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Focus: The focus or focal point of the lens is the position on the principal axis where
all light rays that run parallel to the principal axis through the lens converge (come
together) at a point. Since light can pass through the lens either from right to left or
left to right, there is a focal point on each side of the lens (F 1 and F2), at the same
distance from the optical centre in each direction. (Note: the plural form of the word
focus is foci.)

Focal Length: The focal length (f) is the distance between the optical centre and the
focal point.

RULES FOR OBTAINING IMAGES FORMED BY SHPERICAL LENSES

The intersection of at least two reflected rays give the position of image of the point
object. Any two of the following rays can be considered for locating the image.

1. A ray of light from the object, parallel to the principal axis, after refraction from a
convex lens, passes through the principal focus on the other side of the lens, as
shown in below figure. In case of a concave lens, the ray appears to diverge from
the principal focus located on the same side of the lens, as shown in below figure

2. A ray of light passing through a principal focus, after refraction from a convex
lens, will emerge parallel to the principal axis. This is shown in below figure. A
ray of light appearing to meet at the principal focus of a concave lens, after
refraction, will emerge parallel to the principal axis. This is shown in below
figure.

3. A ray of light passing through the optical centre of a lens will emerge without any
deviation. This is illustrated in below figure.

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FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONVEX LENS
The type of image formed by a convex lens depends on the position of object in front
of the lens. There are six positions of the object:

Case–1: Object is in between optical centre(O) and focus (F1)

When the object is placed between optical centre(O) and focus(F1), the image
formed is (i) behind the object (on th left side of lens)
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) larger than the object (enlarged or magnified)

Case–2: Object is at the focus (F1)

When the object is placed at the focus(F1), the image formed is

(i) at infinity
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) highly enlarged

Case–3: Object is in between F1 and 2F2

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When the object is placed between F1 and 2F1 in front of a convex lens, the image
formed is
(i) beyond 2F2,
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) larger than the object (or magnified).

Case–4: Object is at 2F1

When the object is placed at a distance 2f in front of convex lens, the image formed is
(i) at 2F2 on the other side of the lens,
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) of the same size as the object.

Case–5: Object is at beyond 2F1

When the object is placed beyond 2F1 in front of the convex lens, the image formed is
(i) between F2 and 2F2 on the other side of the lens,
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)

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Case–6: Object is at infinity
When the object is placed at the infinity, the image formed is
(i) at the focus F2.
(ii) real and inverted, and
(iii) much smaller than the object (or highly diminished or point sized)

FORMATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMAGES BY A CONCAVE LENS

The type of image formed by a concave lens depends on the position of object in
front of the lens. There are two positions of the object:

Case–1: Object is at infinity

When the object is placed at the infinity, the image formed is
(i) at the focus F1.
(ii) virtual and erect,

Case–2: Object is in between optical centre(O) and infinity

When the object is placed in between optical centre(O) and infinity, the image
formed is (i) between optical centre(O) and focus F1.
(ii) virtual and erect, and
(iii) smaller than the object (or diminished)

SIGN CONVENTION FOR SPHERICAL LENSES

While using the lens formula we must make use of proper sign convention while
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taking the values of object (u), image distance (v), focal length (f), object height
(h) and image height (h’). The sign conventions are as follows:
1. All distances are measured from the optical centre of the lens.
2. The distances measured in the same direction as the incident light are
taken positive.
3. The distances measured in the direction opposite to the direction of incident
light are taken negative.
4. Heights measured upwards and perpendicular to the principal axis are
taken positive.
5. Heights measured downwards and perpendicular to the principal axis are
taken negative.

Consequences of new Cartesian sign convention:

 The focal length of a convex lens is positive and that of a concave lens is negative.
 Object distance u is always negative.
 The distance of real image is positive and that of virtual image is negative.
 The object height h is always positive. Height h' of virtual erect image is
positive and that of real inverted image is negative.
 The linear magnification, m = h'/h is positive for a virtual image and negative
for a real image.

LENS FORMULA
Lens formula gives the relationship between object distance (u), image-distance
(v) and the focal length (f ). The lens formula is expressed as
1 1 1
f v  u
where ‘u’ is the distance of the object from the optical centre (O), ‘v’ is the
distance of the image from the optical centre (O) and ‘f’ is the distance of the
principal focus
from the optical centre (O).

MAGNIFICATION
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The magnification produced by a lens, similar to that for spherical mirrors, is
defined as the ratio of the height of the image and the height of the object. It is
represented by the letter m. If h is the height of the object and h’ is the height of the
image given by a lens, then the magnification produced by the lens is given by,
Height of the Image
m  h ' Height of the objecth

Magnification produced by a lens is also related to the object-distance u, and

the image-distance v. This relationship is given by
h' v
Magnification (m )  
h u

Points to be remembered
 If the magnification ‘m’ has a positive value, the image is virtual and erect. And if
the magnification ‘m’ has a negative value, the image will real and inverted.
 A convex lens can form virtual images as well as real images, therefore, the
magnification produced by a convex lens can be either positive or negative.
 A convex can form images which are smaller than the object, equal to the object
or bigger than the object, therefore magnification ‘m’ produced by a convex lens
can be less than 1, equal to 1 or more than 1.
 A concave lens, however, forms only virtual images, so the magnification
produced by a concave lens is always positive.
 A concave lens forms image which are always smaller than the object, so the
magnification ‘m’ produced by a concave lens is always less than 1.

NUMERICALS BASED ON CONVEX LENS

1. A convex lens of focal length 10cm is placed at a distance of 12cm from a wall.
How far from the lens should an object be placed so as to form its real image on
the wall?
2. If an object of 7cm height is placed at a distance of 12cm from a convex lens of
focal length 8cm, find the position, nature and height of the image.

3. An object 4 cm high is placed at a distance of 10cm from a convex lens of focal

length 20cm. Find the position, nature and size of the image.
4. A small object is so placed in front of a convex lens of 5 cm focal length that a
virtual image is formed at a distance of 25cm. Find the magnification.
5. Find the position and nature of the image of an object 5cm high and 10cm in front
of a convex lens of focal length 6cm.

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6. Calculate the focal length of a convex lens, which produces a virtual image at a
distance of 50cm of an object placed 20cm in front of it.
7. An object is placed at a distance of 100 cm from a converging lens of focal length
40cm. What is the nature and position of the image?
8. A convex lens produces an inverted image magnified three times of an object at a
distance of 15 cm from it. Calculate focal length of the lens.
9. An object placed 4cm in front of a converging lens produces a real image 12cm
from the lens. What is the magnification of the image? What is the focal length of
the lens? Also draw the ray diagram to show the formation of the image.
10. A lens of focal length 20cm is used to produce a ten times magnified image of a
film slide on a screen. How far must the slide be placed from the lens?
11. Determine how far an object must be placed in front of a converging lens of focal
length 10cm in order to produce an erect image of linear magnification 4.
12. A convex lens of focal length 6cm is held 4cm from a newspaper, which has print
0.5cm high. By calculation, determine the size and nature of the image produced.
13. A convex lens of focal length 0.10m is used to form a magnified image of an
object of height 5mm placed at a distance of 0.08m from the lens. Find the
position, nature and size of the image.
14. An erect image 2cm high is formed 12cm from a lens, the object being 0.5cm
high. Find the focal length of the lens.
15. The filament of a lamp is 80 cm from a screen and a converging lens forms an
image of it on a screen, magnified three times. Find the distance of the lens from
the filament and the focal length of the lens.
16. An object 2cm tall is placed on the axis of a convex lens of focal length 5cm at a
distance of 10cm from the optical centre of the lens. Find the nature, position and
size of the image formed. Which case of image formation by convex lenses is
illustrated by this example?

17. A converging lens of focal length 5cm is placed at a distance of 20cm from a
screen. How far from the lens should an object be placed so as to form its real
image on the screen?
18. An object 5cm high is held 25cm away from a converging lens of focal length
10cm. Find the position, size and nature of the image formed. Also draw the ray
diagram.

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19. At what distance should an object be placed from a convex lens of focal length
18cm to obtain an image at 24cm from it on the other side? What will be the
magnification produced in this case?
20. The magnification produced by a spherical lens is +2.5. What is the nature of
image and lens?
21. What is the nature of the image formed by a convex lens if the magnification
produced by a convex lens is +3?
22. What is the nature of the image formed by a convex lens if the magnification
produced by a convex lens is –0.5?
23. What is the position of image when an object is placed at a distance of 10cm from
a convex lens of focal length 10cm?
24. Describe the nature of the image formed when an object is placed at a distance of
30cm from a convex lens of focal length 15cm.
25. At what distance from a converging lens of focal length 12cm must an object be
placed in order that an image of magnification 1 will be produced?

NUMERICALS BASED ON CONCAVE LENS

1. A concave lens produces an image 20cm from the lens of an object placed 30cm
from the lens. Calculate the focal length of the lens.
2. The magnification of a spherical lens is +0.5. What is the nature of lens and
image?
3. If an object is placed at a distance of 50cm from a concave lens of focal length
20cm, find the position, nature and height of the image.
4. An object is placed at a distance of 4 cm from a concave lens of focal length
12cm. Find the position and nature of the image.
5. An object is placed at a distance of 50cm from a concave lens produces a virtual
image at a distance of 10 cm in front of the lens. Draw a diagram to show the
formation of image. Calculate focal length of the lens and magnification
produced.

6. A 50 cm tall object is at a very large distance from a diverging lens. A virtual,

erect and diminished image of the object is formed at a distance of 20 cm in front
of the lens. How much is the focal length of the lens?
7. A concave lens of focal length 15cm forms an image 10cm from the lens. How far
is the object placed from the lens? Draw the ray diagram.
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8. An object 60cm from a lens gives a virtual image at a distance of 20cm in front of
the lens. What is the focal length of the lens? Is the lens converging or diverging?
Give reasons for your answer.
9. A concave lens of 20 cm focal length forms an image 15cm from the lens.
Compute the object distance.
10. A concave lens has focal length 15 cm. At what distance should the object from
the lens be placed so that it forms an image at 10 cm from the lens? Also find the
magnification produced by the lens.
11. Calculate the image distance for an object of height 12 mm at a distance of 0.20 m
from a concave lens of focal length 0.30m and state the nature and size of the
image.
12. A concave lens has focal length of 20cm. At what distance from the lens a 5cm
tall object be placed so that it forms an image at 15cm from the lens? Also
calculate the size of the image formed.
13. An object is placed 20cm from (a) a converging lens and (b) a diverging lens of
focal length 15cm. Calculate the image position and magnification in each case.
14. A 2.0 cm tall object is placed 40cm from a diverging lens of focal length 15 cm.
Find the position and size of the image.
15. Find the position and size of the virtual image formed when an object 2 cm tall is
placed 20cm from (a) diverging lens of focal length 40cm and (b) converging lens
of focal length 40 cm.
16. The magnification produced by a spherical lens is +0.75. What is the nature of
image and lens?
17. The magnification produced by a spherical lens and a spherical mirror is +0.8.
What is the nature of lens and mirror?
18. The magnification produced by a spherical lens and a spherical mirror is +2.0.
What is the nature of lens and mirror?
19. The lens A produces a magnification of –0.6 whereas lens b produces
magnification of +0.6. What is the nature of lens A and B.

20. An object is 2m from a lens which forms an erect image one-fourth (exactly) the
size of the object. Determine the focal length of the lens. What type of the lens is
this?

POWER OF A LENS
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The power of a lens is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length. It is represented by
the letter P. The power P of a lens of focal length f is given by
1
P
f
The SI unit of power of a lens is ‘dioptre’. It is denoted by the letter D. If f is
expressed in metres, then, power is expressed in dioptres. Thus, 1 dioptre is the power
of a lens whose focal length is 1 metre. 1D = 1m –1. The power of a convex lens is
positive and that of a concave lens is negative.

Many optical instruments consist of a number of lenses. They are combined to

increase the magnification and sharpness of the image. The net power ( P) of the
lenses placed in contact is given by the algebraic sum of the individual powers P1, P2,
P3, … as P = P1 + P2 + P3 +…

NUMERICALS ON POWER OF LENS

1. A concave lens produces an image 20cm from the lens of an object placed 30cm
from the lens. Calculate the power of the lens.
2. A convex lens is of focal length 10 cm. What is its power?
3. A person having a myopia eye uses a concave lens of focal length 50cm. What is
the power of the lens?
4. A thin lens has a focal length of –25cm. What is the power of the lens and what
is its nature?
5. A lens has a power of –2.5 D. What is the focal length and nature of the lens?
6. Find the power of a concave lens of focal length 2 m.
7. A convex lens forms a real and inverted image of needle at a distance of 50cm
from the lens. If the image is of the same size as the needle, where is the needle
placed in front of the lens? Also, find the power of the lens.
8. Two thin lenses of power +3.5 D and –2.5 D are placed in contact. Find the power
and focal length of the lens combination.
9. A doctor has prescribed a corrective lens of power –1.5 D. Find the focal length of
the lens. Is the prescribed lens is diverging or converging?
10. A concave lens of focal length 25 cm and a convex lens of focal length 20 cm are
placed in contact with each other. What is the power of this combination? Also,
calculate focal length of the combination.

11. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is placed in contact with a concave lens of
focal length 10cm. What is the focal length and power of the combination?
12. An object is placed at a distance of 50cm from a concave lens of focal length

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 30cm. Find the nature and position of the image.
13. An object of height 2 cm is placed at a distance of 15cm in front of a concave lens
of power –10D. Find the size of the image.
14. A convergent lens of power 8D is combined with a divergent lens of power –10D.
Calculate focal length of the combination.
15. A concave lens is kept in contact with a convex lens of focal length 20cm. The
combination works as a converging lens of focal length 100cm. Calculate power
of concave lens.
16. Find the focal length and nature of lens which should be placed in contact with a
lens of focal length 10 cm so that the power of the combination becomes 5D.
17. A convex lens of power 3D is held in contact with a concave lens of power – 1 D.
A parallel beam of light is made to fall on the combination. At what distance from
the combination will the bean ge5t focussed?
18. A convex lens of focal length 25cm and a concave lens of focal length 10cm are
placed in close contact with one another.
a). What is the power of the combination?
b). What is the focal length of the combination?
c). Is this combination converging or diverging?
19. The power of a combination of two lenses X and Y is 5D. If the focal length of
lens X be 15 cm, then
a). calculate the focal length of lens Y.
b). State the nature of the lens Y.
20. Two lenses A and B have focal lengths of +20cm and – 10 cm, respectively.
a). What is the nature of lens A and lens B?
b). What is the power of lens A and lens B?
What is the power of the combination if lenses A and B are held close together?

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 CHAPTER - 10
LIGHT – REFLECTION AND REFRACTION
ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS SET – 1

1. Define refraction.
2. Define refractive index.
3. What is the unit of refractive index?
4. List out the factors on which the refractive index of a medium depends.
5. Define angle of incidence.
6. What is the angle of incidence if a ray of light is incident normal to the
surface separating the two media?
7. What is a lens?
8. What is a concave lens?
9. What is the nature of the focus of a concave lens?
10. What type of image is formed by a concave lens?
11. A thin lens has a focal length f = -12 cm. Is it convex or concave lens?
12. A lens forms an erect image for all positions of the object in front of it. Is the
lens convex or concave?
13. Where should an object be placed so that a real and inverted image of same
size is obtained using a convex lens?
14. Write the relation between u,v and f of a thin lens.
15. What is the sign of u, v and f for a convex lens according to Cartesian sign
convention?
16. An object of height 1m is placed at a distance of 2f from a convex lens. What
is the height of the image formed?
17. Define power.
18. What is least distance of distinct vision?
19. What happens when a ray of light passes through the optical centre of a lens?
20. State the laws of refraction.
21. Diagrammatically represent the refraction of light through a rectangular glass
slab.
22. Define convex lens. Why is it referred to as converging lens?
23. Draw a diagram to show the second principal focus of a convex lens.
24. Distinguish between a convex and a concave lens.

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25. Draw a ray diagram to show the refraction of light when it passes through the
optic centre of a convex lens.

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26. List out the uses of convex lenses.
27. With the help of a ray diagram show how an object gets magnified in a
simple microscope.
28. Define the power of a lens. What is its unit?
29. With the help of a diagram explain how light gets refracted when it passes
through a rectangular glass slab.
30. An object is placed at a distance of 50 cm from a concave lens of focal length 20
cm. Find the nature and position of the image.
31. An object is placed 50 cm from a lens which produces a virtual image at a
distance of 10 cm in front of the lens. Draw a diagram to show the formation of
image and calculate the focal length of the lens.
32. An object of height 4 cm is placed at a distance of 10 cm from a convex lens of
focal length 20 cm. Find the position, nature and size of the image.
33. What is the power of a lens having a focal length of a) 50 cm b) -50cm
34. Draw a ray diagram to show the position and nature of the image formed by a
convex lens when the object is placed a) at 2F1 b) between F1 and 2F1 c) beyond
2F1
35. State and verify Snell's law.
36. The bending of a beam of light when it passes obliquely from one medium
to another is known as .
1. reflection
2. refraction
3. dispersion
4. deviation

37. The part of the lens through which the ray of light passes without
suffering deviation is called .
1. optical centre
2. focus
3. centre of curvature
4. pole

38. Convex lens always gives a real image if the object is situated beyond .
1. optical centre
2. centre of curvature
3. Focus
4. radius of curvature

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39. Parallel rays of light entering a convex lens always converge at .
1. centre of curvature
2. the principal focus
3. optical centre
4. the focal plane
40. Where should an object be placed so that a real and inverted image of the
same size is obtained, using a convex lens?
1. Between O and F
2. At F
3. At 2 F
4. At infinity
41. SI unit of the power of a lens is .
1. dioptre
2. cm
3. metre
4. watt
42. 1 D is the power of the lens of focal length of cm.
1. 100
2. 10
3. 1/100
4. 1/10
43. In a simple microscope lens used is .
1. biconvex
2. biconcave
3. plano convex
4. cylindrical
44. Reciprocal of focal length in metres is known as the of a lens.
1. focus
2. power
3. power of accommodation
4. far point
45. A convex lens is called .
1. converging lens
2. diverging lens
3. both converging and diverging lens
4. refracting lens
46. A positive magnification greater than unity indicates .
1. real image
2. virtual image
3. neither real not virtual image

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 4. distorted image

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47. The power of a convex lens of focal length 50 cm is .
1. + 2D
2. - 2D
3. 50 D
4. - 5D
48. The focal length of a lens whose power is -1.5 D is .
1. -66.66 cm
2. + 1.5 m
3. + 66.66 cm
4. -1.5 m
49. Real images formed by single convex lenses are always .
1. on the same side of the lens as the object
2. Inverted
3. Erect
4. smaller than the object
50. An object is placed 12 cm from a convex lens whose focal length is 10 cm.
The image must be.
1. virtual and enlarged
2. virtual and reduced in size
3. real and reduced in size
4. real and enlarged
51. When a person uses a convex lens as a simple magnifying glass, the object
must be placed at a distance.
1. less than one focal length
2. more than one focal length
3. less than twice the focal length
4. more than twice the focal length
52. The image produced by a concave lens is .
1. always virtual and enlarged
2. always virtual and reduced in size
3. always real
4. sometimes real, sometimes virtual
53. A virtual image is formed by .
1. a slide projector in a cinema hall
2. the ordinary camera
3. a simple microscope
4. Telescope
54. An object is placed 25 cm from a convex lens whose focal length is 10 cm.
The image distance is cm.
1. 50 cm
2. 16.66 cm
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 3. 10 cm
55. The least distance of distinct vision is .
1. 25 cm
2. 25 m
3. 0.25 cm
4. 2.5 m
56. A convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. Its power in dioptres is
.
1. 2
2. 5
3. 0.5
4. 0.2
57. An object is placed before a concave lens. The image formed -.
1. is always erect
2. may be erect or inverted
3. is always inverted
4. is always real
58. A ray of light travels from a medium of refractive index n1 to a medium of
refractive index n2. If angle of incidence is i and the angle of refraction is r,
then
sin i
is equal to
sin r
1. n1
2. n2
3. n21
4. n12
59. Two thin lenses of power +5 D and -2 D are placed in contact with each
other. Focal length of the combination is
1. +3 m
2. -3 m
3. 0.33 m
4. -0.33 m
The lens formula in cartesian frame is .
60.
1.

2.

3.

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 4.
61. An object is placed between two plane mirrors inclined at an angle of 45° to
each other. How many images do you expect to see?

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62. How can an inverted image of an object be obtained with a plane mirror?
63. How many images of himself can an observer see in a room whose ceiling
and two adjacent walls are mirrors?
64. A convex mirror is held in water. What should be the change in its focal length?
65. If the light from the Sun subtend an angle Q at the pole of a concave mirror of
focal length f, where will it converge? Also find the diameter of the image.
Draw the necessary ray diagram.
66. When does Snell’s law of refraction fail?
67. How does the frequency of a beam of ultraviolet light changes when it goes
from air to glass?
68. State two conditions under which a ray of light suffering refraction from
medium 1 to medium 2 does not undergo any change in direction
69. Name the factor on which lateral shift produced by glass slab depends?
70. A glass lens is immersed in water. How is the power of the lens affected?
71. Why is the power of a lens is measured as reciprocal of focal length? Give
reason.
72. A convex lens is made of a material of refractive index m 1 when placed in a
medium of refractive index m2, behaves as a diverging lens. How are m 1 and m2
related?
73. An object is held at a distance of 60 cm from a convex mirror of focal length 20
cm. At what distance from the mirror, should a plane mirror be held so that
images in the two mirrors coincide?(ans. 22.5 cm)
74. How do you find the rough focal length of a convex lens? Is the same method
applicable to a concave lens?
75. Which factors determines the focal length of a lens?
76. The formula for linear magnification of a spherical mirror is m=h’/h = -v/u.
What determines the sign of m? What is the significance of this sign?
77. A convex lens made of material of refractive index n 2 is kept in a medium of
refractive index n1. A parallel beam of light is incident on the lens. Compare the
path of rays of light emerging from the convex lens if (i)n 1<n2 (ii)n1=n2 (iii)
n1>n2
78. A concave lens of focal length 25 cm and a convex lens of focal length 20 cm
are placed in contact with each other. What is the power of this combination?
Also, calculate focal length of this combination. (ans. 1m)

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79. A convergent lens of power 8D is combined with a divergent lens of power -10
D. Calculate focal length of the combination. (ans.-0.5 m)
80. A concave lens has a focal length of 15 cm. At what distance should an object
from the lens be placed so that it forms an image at 10 cm from the lens? Also
find the magnification of the lens.
81. Under what condition in an arrangement of two plane mirrors, incident ray and
reflected ray will always be parallel to each other, whatever be the angle of
incidence? Show the same with the help of diagram.
82. How much time will light take to cross 2 mm thick glass pane if refractive index
of glass is 3/2? (ans. 10-11s)
83. Light travel from rarer medium 1 to a denser medium 2. The angle of incidence
and refraction are respectively 45° and 30°. Calculate the refractive index of
second medium with respect to the first medium.
84. A pond of depth 20 cm is filled with water of refractive index 4/3. Calculate
apparent depth of the tank when viewed normally.
85. What is the real depth of a swimming pool when its bottom appears to be
realized by 1m?given refractive index of water is 4/3
86. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 15cm at a
distance of (a) 10cm. and (b) 5cm. Find the position, nature and magnification
of the image in each case.
87. An object is placed 15cm from a concave mirror of radius of curvature 60 cm.
Find the position of image and its magnification?
88. An object is kept at a distance of 5cm in front of a convex mirror of focal length
10cm. Give the position, magnification and the nature of the image formed.
89. An object is placed at a distance of 50cmfrom a concave lens of focal length
20cm. Find the nature and position of the image.
90. The power of a lens is 2.5 dioptre. What is the focal length and the type of lens?
91. What is the power of a concave lens of focal length 50cm?
92. Find the power of a concave lens of focal length 2m.
93. Two lens of power +3.5D and -2.5D are placed in contact. find the power and
focal length of the lens combination.
94. A convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. Calculate at what distance from the
lens should an object be placed so that it forms an image at a distance of 40cm
on the other side of the lens. State the nature of the image formed?

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95. A 10cm tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a convex lens
of focal length 30cm. The distance of the object from the line is [Link] the
i)position ii)nature and iii) size of the image formed.
96. Find the focal length of a line power is given as +2.0D.
97. With respect to air the refractive index of ice and rock salt benzene are 1.31 and
1.54 respectively. Calculate the refractive index of rock salt with respect to ice.
98. An object 5cm in length is placed at a distance of 20 cm in front of a convex
mirror of radius of curvature 30cm. Find the position of the image, its nature and
size.
99. The far point of a myopic person is 150cm in front of the eye. Calculate the
focal length and the power of the lens required to enable him to see distant
objects clearly.
100. To obtain magnified erect image on a concave mirror, object should be held
a) At pole b) At focus c) Between p and f d) Beyond 2f

101. If f is the focal length and R is the radius of curvature of a spherical mirror, then
a) R=f b) R=2f c) R=3f d) R=4f

102. The image formed by a concave mirror is real, inverted and of same size as that
of the object. The position of the object is
a) At C b) At F c) Between C and F d) Beyond C

103. The image formed by a concave mirror is virtual, erect and magnified. The
position of the object is
a) At F b) At c c) At infinity d) Between P and F

104. The image formed by a spherical mirror is virtual, erect and smaller in size.
Whatever be the position of the object. The mirror is
a) Convex b) Concave c) Either convex or concave d) Cannot say

105. When light goes from one medium to another, the characteristics that remain
unaffected is
a) Speed b) Direction c) Wave length d) Frequency
106. Reflective index of glass w.r.t air is 3/2. What is the refractive index of air w.r.t

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 glass?

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 a) 2/3 b) 1 c) Zero d) (3/2)2
107. A convex lens of focal length 15 cm is used to form an image of the size of the
object. Where from the lens should be the object is placed.
a) 15 cm b) 30 cm c) 60 cm d) 10 cm
108. To form an image twice the size of the object, using a convex lens of focal
length 20 cm, the object distance must be
a) <20 cm b) >20 cm c) <20 cm and between 20 cm and 40 cm d) Cannot say
109. Bending of a ray of light due to change in velocity with medium is called
a) Reflection b) Refraction c) Diffraction d) Dispersion
110. If correct value of refractive index of a medium(μ) in terms of velocity of
light in vacuum (C) and velocity of light in medium (v) is
a) n = vC b)n = 1 / ve c)n= C / v d) n = v / C.
111. Total internal reflection takes place when light travels
a) From denser to rarer medium b) From rarer to denser medium
c) In same denser medium from one side to other. d) In same rarer medium
from one side to other.
112. For no bending of a ray of light through a glass slab, angle of incidence must be
a) 00 b) 300 c) 600 d) 900
113. A convex lens is
a) Thin in the middle, thick at the room. b) Thick in the middle, thin at the rim.
c) Thick through out. d) Thin throughout.
114. Power of convex lens is
a) Zero. b) Infinite. c) Positive d) Negative.
115. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 15cm at a
distance of (a) 10cm. and (b) 5cm. Find the position, nature and magnification
of the image in each case.
116. An object is placed 15cm from a concave mirror of radius of curvature 60 cm.
Find the position of image and its magnification?
117. An object is kept at a distance of 5cm in front of a convex mirror of focal length
10cm. Give the position, magnification and the nature of the image formed.
118. An object is placed at a distance of 50cmfrom a concave lens of focal length
20cm. Find the nature and position of the image.
119. The power of a lens is 2.5 dioptre. What is the focal length and the type of lens?
120. What is the power of a concave lens of focal length 50cm?

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121. Find the power of a concave lens of focal length 2m.

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122. Two lens of power +3.5D and -2.5D are placed in contact. find the power and
focal length of the lens combination.
123. A convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. Calculate at what distance from the
lens should an object be placed so that it forms an image at a distance of 40cm
on the other side of the lens. State the nature of the image formed?
124. A 10cm tall object is placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a convex lens
of focal length 30cm. The distance of the object from the line is [Link] the
i)position ii)nature and iii) size of the image formed.
125. Find the focal length of a line power is given as +2.0D.
126. With respect to air the refractive index of ice and rock salt benzene are 1.31 and
1.54 respectively. Calculate the refractive index of rock salt with respect to ice.
127. An object 5cm in length is placed at a distance of 20 cm in front of a convex
mirror of radius of curvature 30cm. Find the position of the image, its nature
and size.
128. The far point of a myopic person is 150cm in front of the eye. Calculate the
focal length and the power of the lens required to enable him to see distant
objects clearly.

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 CHAPTER - 10
LIGHT – REFLECTION AND REFRACTION
ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS SET – 2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following can make a parallel beam of light when light from a
point source is incident on it?
(a) Concave mirror as well as convex lens
(b) Convex mirror as well as concave lens
(c) Two plane mirrors placed at 90° to each other
(d) Concave mirror as well as concave lens

2. A 10 mm long awl pin is placed vertically in front of a concave mirror. A 5

mm long image of the awl pin is formed at 30 cm in front of the mirror. The
focal length of this mirror is
(a) – 30 cm (b) – 20 cm (c) – 40 cm (d) – 60 cm

3. Under which of the following conditions a concave mirror can form an

image larger than the actual object?
(a) When the object is kept at a distance equal to its radius of curvature
(b) When object is kept at a distance less than its focal length
(c) When object is placed between the focus and centre of curvature
(d) When object is kept at a distance greater than its radius of curvature
4. The below Figure shows a ray of light as it travels from medium A to medium B.
Refractive index of the medium B relative to medium A is (a)
3 2 1
(b) (c) (d) 2
2 3 2

5. Which of the following statements is true?

(a) A convex lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25 m
(b) A convex lens has –4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25 m
(c) A concave lens has 4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25 m
(d) A concave lens has –4 dioptre power having a focal length 0.25 m
6. Magnification produced by a rear view mirror fitted in vehicles
(a) is less than one (b) is more than one
(c) is equal to one
(d) can be more than or less than one depending upon the position of the object
in front of it

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7. A light ray enters from medium A to medium B as shown in below Figure.
The refractive index of medium B relative to A will be
(a) greater than unity (b) less than unity
(c) equal to unity (d) zero

8. Beams of light are incident through the holes A and B and emerge out of box
through the holes C and D respectively as shown in the below Figure. Which
of the following could be inside the box?
(a) A rectangular glass slab (b) A convex lens
(c) A concave lens (d) A prism

9. A beam of light is incident through the holes on side A and emerges out of
the holes on the other face of the box as shown in the below Figure. Which of
the following could be inside the box?
(a) Concave lens (b) Rectangular glass slab
(c) Prism (d) Convex lens

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10. Rays from Sun converge at a point 15 cm in front of a concave mirror.
Where should an object be placed so that size of its image is equal to the
size of the object?
(a) 15 cm in front of the mirror
(b) 30 cm in front of the mirror
(c) between 15 cm and 30 cm in front of the mirror
(d) more than 30 cm in front of the mirror

11. A full length image of a distant tall building can definitely be seen by using
(a) a concave mirror (b) a convex mirror
(c) a plane mirror (d) both concave as well as plane mirror

12. In torches, search lights and headlights of vehicles the bulb is placed
(a) between the pole and the focus of the reflector
(b) very near to the focus of the reflector
(c) between the focus and centre of curvature of the reflector
(d) at the centre of curvature of the reflector

13. The laws of reflection hold good for

(a) plane mirror only (b) concave mirror only
(c) convex mirror only (d) all mirrors irrespective of their shape

14. The path of a ray of light coming from air passing through a rectangular glass
slab traced by four students are shown as A, B, C and D in Figure. Which one of
them is correct?
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D

15. You are given water, mustard oil, glycerine and kerosene. In which of these
media a ray of light incident obliquely at same angle would bend the most?
(a) Kerosene (b) Water
(c) Mustard oil (d) Glycerine

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16. A child is standing in front of a magic mirror. She finds the image of her head
bigger, the middle portion of her body of the same size and that of the legs
smaller. The following is the order of combinations for the magic mirror from
the top.
(a) Plane, convex and concave
(b) Convex, concave and plane
(c) Concave, plane and convex
(d) Convex, plane and concave

17. Which of the following ray diagrams is correct for the ray of light incident on
a concave mirror as shown in below Figure?
(a) Fig. A (b) Fig. B (c) Fig. C (d) Fig. D

18. Which of the following ray diagrams is correct for the ray of light incident on
a lens shown in below Figure?
(a) Fig. A (b) Fig. B (c) Fig. C (d) Fig. D

19. In which of the following, the image of an object placed at infinity will be
highly diminished and point sized?
(a) Concave mirror only
(b) Convex mirror only
(c) Convex lens only
(d) Concave mirror, convex mirror, concave lens and convex lens

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20. The linear magnification produced by a convex mirror is always positive. This
is because
(a) Convex mirror is a small mirror.
(b) Image formed by a convex mirror is always smaller in size than the object.
(c) Image formed by a convex mirror is real.
(d) Image formed by a convex mirror is always virtual and erect.

21. In which of the following mirrors, image of an object is always virtual, erect
and smaller in size than the size of object?
(a) convex mirror
(b) concave mirror
(c) plane mirror
(d) none of the these

22. A boy runs towards a plane mirror with a velocity of 2m/s. With what speed
will her image move towards him?
(a) 2m/s
(b) 0
(c) 4m/s
(d) none of the these

23. The linear magnification of the concave lens is always positive but less than one.
This is because
(a) concave lens forms real images only.
(b) concave lens forms virtual images only.
(c) concave lens forms virtual, erect and diminished images irrespective of
the position of the object.
(d) none of the these

24. The linear magnification of the concave lens is – 1, when object is kept at
(a) at infinity
(b) at focus
(c) at 2F1
(d) between F1 and 2F1.

25. The focal length of the combination of convex lens of power 1D and concave
lens of power – 1.5 D is
(a) – 2 m (b) 2 m
(c) 2.5 m (d) 0.5 m

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

26. Identify the device used as a spherical mirror or lens in following cases, when
the image formed is virtual and erect in each case.
(a) Object is placed between device and its focus, image formed is enlarged
and behind it.
(b) Object is placed between the focus and device, image formed is enlarged
and on the same side as that of the object.
(c) Object is placed between infinity and device, image formed is diminished
and between focus and optical centre on the same side as that of the object.
(d) Object is placed between infinity and device, image formed is diminished

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 and between pole and focus, behind it.

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27. Why does a light ray incident on a rectangular glass slab immersed in any
medium emerges parallel to itself? Explain using a diagram.

28. A pencil when dipped in water in a glass tumbler appears to be bent at the
interface of air and water. Will the pencil appear to be bent to the same extent,
if instead of water we use liquids like, kerosene or turpentine. Support your
answer with reason.

29. How is the refractive index of a medium related to the speed of light? Obtain
an expression for refractive index of a medium with respect to another in
terms of speed of light in these two media?

30. Refractive index of diamond with respect to glass is 1.6 and absolute
refractive index of glass is 1.5. Find out the absolute refractive index of
diamond.

31. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm can produce a magnified virtual as well as
real image. Is this a correct statement? If yes, where shall the object be placed
in each case for obtaining these images?

32. Sudha finds out that the sharp image of the window pane of her science
laboratory is formed at a distance of 15 cm from the lens. She now tries to focus
the building visible to her outside the window instead of the window pane
without disturbing the lens. In which direction will she move the screen to obtain
a sharp image of the building? What is the approximate focal length of this lens?

33. How are power and focal length of a lens related? You are provided with two
lenses of focal length 20 cm and 40 cm respectively. Which lens will you use
to obtain more convergent light?

34. Under what condition in an arrangement of two plane mirrors, incident ray
and reflected ray will always be parallel to each other, whatever may be
angle of incidence. Show the same with the help of diagram.

35. Draw a ray diagram showing the path of rays of light when it enters with
oblique incidence (i) from air into water; (ii) from water into air.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

36. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a concave mirror when
an object is placed
(a) between pole and focus of the mirror
(b) between focus and centre of curvature of the mirror
(c) at centre of curvature of the mirror
(d) a little beyond centre of curvature of the mirror
(e) at infinity

37. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a convex lens when an
object is placed
(a) between optical centre and focus of the lens
(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens
(c) at twice the focal length of the lens
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 (d) at infinity

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38. Write laws of refraction. Explain the same with the help of ray diagram, when
a ray of light passes through a rectangular glass slab.

39. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a concave lens when
an object is placed
(a) at the focus of the lens
(b) between focus and twice the focal length of the lens
(c) beyond twice the focal length of the lens

40. Draw ray diagrams showing the image formation by a convex mirror when
an object is placed
(a) at infinity
(b) at finite distance from the mirror

41. The image of a candle flame formed by a lens is obtained on a screen placed
on the other side of the lens. If the image is three times the size of the flame
and the distance between lens and image is 80 cm, at what distance should the
candle be placed from the lens? What is the nature of the image at a distance of
80 cm and the lens?

42. Size of image of an object by a mirror having a focal length of 20 cm is observed

to be reduced to 1/3rd of its size. At what distance the object has been placed
from the mirror? What is the nature of the image and the mirror?

43. Define power of a lens. What is its unit? One student uses a lens of focal length
50 cm and another of –50 cm. What is the nature of the lens and its power used
by each of them?

44. A student focussed the image of a candle flame on a white screen using a
convex lens. He noted down the position of the candle screen and the lens as
under Position of candle = 12.0 cm
Position of convex lens = 50.0 cm
Position of the screen = 88.0 cm
(i) What is the focal length of the convex lens?
(ii) Where will the image be formed if he shifts the candle towards the lens at
a position of 31.0 cm?
(iii) What will be the nature of the image formed if he further shifts the
candle towards the lens?
(iv) Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image in case (iii) as said
above.

45. (a) State the relationship between object distance, image distance and focal length
of a spherical mirror.
(a) Draw a ray diagram to show the image formation by a concave mirror when an
object is placed between pole and focus of the mirror.
(b) A concave mirror of focal length 15 cm forms an image of an object kept at a
distance of 10cm from the mirror. Find the position, nature and size of the image
formed by it.

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