What is

It

Reflection of Light in Mirrors

The laws of reflection state that:

1. the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal line to the
reflecting surface all lie in the same plane; and
2. the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

a line that is
perpendicular
to the
surface

- the ray of light - the ray of light

coming from the which leaves
light source the mirror
towards a Angle of Angle of
incidence reflection
surface

- the angle - the angle

between the between the
incident ray reflected ray
and normal and normal
line line
Reflection of a Light ray on a
Plane

1
Reflection in Plane Mirror

When light hits an object, every part of that object reflects light in all direction.
Some of the reflected light reaches our eyes. Thus, we can see an object.

Characteristics of images formed by

a plane mirror:
1. Image is virtual;
2. Same size as the object;
3. Same orientation as the object; and
4. Same distance from the mirror as
the object.

Reflection in a
plane Mirror

Types of Reflection of Light

a. Specular/Regular reflection. It is
defined as light reflected from a
smooth surface at a definite angle.

b. Diffused/Irregular Reflection. It is
produced by rough surfaces that tend to (a)
reflect light in all directions.

(b)
(a) Mountains and its reflection on calm water (b) Mountains and its reflection on
wavy water

The phenomenon by which a ray of light changes the direction of

propagation when it strikes a boundary between different media through which it
cannot pass is described as the reflection of light.

If the bundle of light rays is incident upon a smooth surface, then the light
rays reflect and remain concentrated in a bundle upon leaving the surface. On
the other hand, if the surface is microscopically rough, the light rays will reflect
and diffuse in many different directions.

2
 Specular Reflection Diffuse Reflection
(smooth surface) (rough surface)
(a) (b)
Figure 5. (a) Parallel light rays reflect in one direction. (b) Parallel light rays reflect in
different directions.

Mirror Left-Right Reversal

If you view an image of yourself in a plane mirror (perhaps a bathroom

mirror), you will quickly notice that there is an apparent left-right reversal of the
image. That is, if you raise your left hand, you will notice that the image raises
what would seem to be its right hand. If you raise your right hand, the image
raises what would seem to be its left hand. This is often termed left-right
reversal.

Figure 6. Mirror Left-Right Reversal

The letters in front of the ambulance are written laterally. This is because
when seen in rear view mirror by another vehicle, the image of the word would
get inverted, letting the driver read the word properly so that he can provide way
to the ambulance.

Figure 7. Mirror Left-Right Reversal

3
Reflection on Spherical Mirrors

Most curved mirrors are called spherical mirrors because their shape follows
the surface of a sphere.

Two Kinds of Spherical Mirrors:

1. The Concave Mirror
 It reflects light inward to one focal
point. It is used to focus light.
 Also known as converging mirror
has a reflecting surface that is
recessed
inward (away from the incident Parallel rays
light). converge after reflection on
a concave mirror

2. The Convex Mirror

 Also known diverging mirror is a
curved mirror in which the reflective
surface bulges towards the light
source.
 Convex mirrors reflect light outwards;
therefore they are not used to focus Parallel rays
light. diverge after reflection on a
convex mirror

There are two types of images formed by reflecting surfaces.

Figure 11. Reflection from Concave and Convex Mirror

Real Image Virtual Image

1. A real image is formed when 1. A virtual image is formed when light
light rays actually meet after rays do not actually intersect after
reflection. reflection, but they appear to diverge
2. A real image can be formed on from the mirror.
a screen. 2. A virtual image cannot be formed
3. A real image is inverted with on a screen.
respect to the object. 3. A virtual image is erect with
e.g. The image of a distance object respect to the object.
formed by a concave mirror. e.g. The image of an object formed by
a convex mirror.

4
Ray Diagram and Image Formation by Plane Mirror

A plane mirror makes an image of objects in front of the mirror; the image
appears to be behind the plane in which the mirror lies. An image is formed by
reflection when two or more reflected rays of a point meet at a single point. The
image is formed at the point of intersection of the reflected rays.

Image Formation by
Plane Mirror
Behind the
Location
mirror
Orientation Upright
Same size as the
Size
object
Type Virtual

Image Formation by Plane Mirror

Images Formed by Curved Mirrors

In locating the image formed in curved mirror graphically, six important

points are considered. The following important points are enumerated below.

 Center of Curvature, – the center

of the sphere whose surface forms
the curved mirror Curved Mirrors
 Focal Point, – where the light rays
meet
 Vertex, – the point where the
principal axis meets the mirror
 Principal Axis – the straight line
passing through the center of
curvature to the mirror
 Focal Length, – the distance from
the focal point to the vertex
 Radius of Curvature, – the
distance from the vertex to the
center of the curvature

Since the focal point is the midpoint of the line segment adjoining the
vertex and the center of curvature, the focal length would be one-half the
radius of curvature

5
 Location, Orientation, Size, and Type of Image Formed in Concave Mirror

Image
Sized
Orientatio (same, Type
Location of Object
Location n (upright reduced (real
or or or
Inverted) enlarged virtual
) )
A. Beyond Center of
Curvature
Betwee
Inverted Reduced Real
n C and
F

B. At the Center of
Curvature

At C Inverted Same Real

D. At the Focus

No Image Formed

Location, Orientation, Size, and Type of Image Formed in Convex Mirror

Image
Sized
Orientatio Type
Location of Object (same,
Location n (upright (real
reduced
or or
or
Inverted) virtual
enlarged)
)
A. Anywhere you put the object
in front of a convex mirror.
Anywhere you
put the object
Upright Reduced Virtual
in front of a
convex mirror.

6
Difference Between Convex and Concave Lens

BASIS FOR
CONVEX LENS CONCAVE LENS
COMPARISON
Meaning Convex lens refers to the Concave lens can be
lens which merges the light identified as the lens which
rays at a particular point, disperses the light
that rays
travels through it. around, that hits the lenses.
Figure

Curve Outward Inward

Light Converges Diverges
Center and Thicker at the center, as Thinner at the center as
Edges compared to its edges. compared to its edges.
Focal Length Positive Negative
Image Real and Inverted image. Virtual, erect and diminished
Also produces virtual, erect image.
and enlarged image in a
magnifying glass.
Objects Appear closer and larger Appear smaller and farther.
Used to Correct hyperopia Correct myopia.