1 Reflection of Light

1 Reflection of Light Quick Check 1.3 (p. 1-8)

1. normal
Quick Check angle of angle of
incidence reflection
Quick Check 1.1 (p. 1-3)
1. Parallel beam:
incident reflected
ray ray

ray box
mirror
Divergent beam: point of incidence

2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie
in the same plane.
ray box Also, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
Convergent beam: reflection.

3. (a) By the laws of reflection,

ray box angle of reflection x = angle of incidence
= 43°
(b) By the laws of reflection,
2. Luminous objects:
angle of incidence x = angle of reflection
the sun, television set, light bulb
= 60°
Non-luminous objects:
the moon, mirror
4. (a)
170 180

80˚ 90
0
150 20 10
Quick Check 1.2 (p. 1-4)
160

70˚
30

˚
25° 25°

60
1. We use divergent rays to represent light rays from a
40
140

˚
50

50
40
60 130 ˚
point on a near object and parallel rays to represent light
0
80 7
30
120 ˚
0˚
0
90˚ 10˚ 2
1
100 1
rays from a point on a very far object.

2. Light rays reaching Earth from the sun are often

regarded as parallel because the sun is (very) far away (b)
170 180

80˚ 90
0

from Earth. 55°

150 20 10
160

70˚
35° 35°
30

˚
60
40

Looking at the tip of a pencil

140

3. (a)
˚

50
50

40
0
60 130 ˚
80 7
30
120 ˚
0˚
0
90˚ 10˚ 2
1
100 1

(b) Looking at the whole pencil Quick Check 1.4 (p. 1-11)
1. (a)

60° 60° 60° 60° 60° 60°

(b) yes
(c) regular

1
 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

2. (a) 5. (a)
10°
10° 72° 72° 53° 53°

(b) no
(c) diffuse

3. Clear images can be formed by regular reflections but

(b)
cannot be formed by diffuse reflections.

4. Regular reflection:
calm water surface, a computer monitor
Diffuse reflection:
surface of a leaf, surface of a rock, surface of a satellite

Quick Check 1.5 (p. 1-17)

6. (a)
1. (a) F
An image formed by a plane mirror is erect.
(b) T
(c) T

2.(a) T
(b) F
(b)
A camera can take a photo of an image formed by
a plane mirror by receiving the reflected light rays.
Fig 1.3a on p. 1-15 is an example.

3. The perpendicular distance between an object and a

reflecting surface is called the object distance; while
the perpendicular distance between the image and the
reflecting surface is called the image distance.

4. (a) Quick Check 1.6 (p. 1-25)

1. (a)

object image

(b)
observer

2
 1 Reflection of Light

(b) Let’s Try 1.2 (p. 1-18)

object image Chair’s image is 3 m behind the mirror as shown below.

Cherry image of Cherry

chair image of chair

5m 5m
observer
3m 3m
2. A Distance between images of Cherry and the chair
The images of P, Q and R formed by the mirror locate =5–3
behind the mirror with image distances equal to object
=2m
distances. From the figure below, since the line joining
the eye and the image of P does not intersect with the
mirror, light rays from P cannot be reflected to the eye. Let’s Try 1.3 (p. 1-19)
So Jenny cannot see statue P through the mirror.
Assume the dog moves to position Q. By locating its image
P' Q' R' Qʹ as shown, we see that it moves towards north.
Q'
N

P'

Jenny’s eye

P Q R Q P

Let’s Try
Let’s Try 1.1 (p. 1-9) Let’s Try 1.4 (p. 1-21)
(a) A A'
40°
i r

By the laws of reflection,

angle of incidence i = angle of reflection r B B'

= 90° – 40°
= 50°
observer

(b) A A'

B B'

observer
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 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

Let’s Try 1.5 (p. 1-22) Let’s Try 1.8 (p. 1-27)
Suppose the bench is moved closer to the mirror as shown. The image I1 is laterally inverted. I2 is the image of reflection
of I1 and therefore laterally inverted twice, so it looks exactly
the same as the object. Hence I2 is not laterally inverted.
image of Ben

Let’s Try 1.9 (p. 1-29)

1m
A
Sketch the image I1 of the object formed by the left mirror.
Alice Ben Then, sketch the image I2 of I1 formed by the right mirror.

bench image I1

From the figure, we see that the maximum distance between

Alice and Ben will not change and remain 6 m.

left
Let’s Try 1.6 (p. 1-23) mirror
object
Suppose Simon moves to another position as shown.
shop window

right
1m mirror
1m observer
image I2

Simon

Exercise
Exercise 1.1 (p. 1-5)
Foundation Level
(a) T
1.
banner image of
the banner
(b) F
Non-luminous objects can be seen by reflecting
From the figure, the smallest width of the shop window
light to our eyes.
remains 1 m. The answer in (c) will not change.
(c) F
The moon looks bright because it reflects sunlight
Let’s Try 1.7 (p. 1-24) to our eyes. It does not give out light by itself.
Irrespective of the length of NO, i.e. the distance between
Elsie and the mirror, △NBC and △MAB are isosceles 2. B
triangles with BO = OC and AP = PB. Hence the minimum
Since light travels in straight lines, we expect the object
height of the mirror does not depend on her distance from the
to be located in the direction of Q.
mirror.

3. A
The minimum height of the mirror required is The computer monitor gives out light to show the
independent of the distance between the observer and the information to its user.
mirror. It depends only on the height of the observer.
Minimum height of the mirror 4. Luminous objects:
1 Light bulbs, torches, TV screen
= × height of observer
2
Non-luminous objects:
tables, cups, books
(Accept other reasonable answers)

4
 170 180
160 0
150 20 10
140 3 0
40
1 Reflection of Light

60 130
50
120
10
0
100 1
80 7
5. (b)

90˚ 80˚
coin

70˚
60
15°

˚
50
Pre-DSE Level 40

˚
˚
30
˚ 2
0˚
6. D 10˚ 0

7.
(c)

25°

0
10˚
20˚
˚
30
40

˚
50

40
50
˚
8.
60 130
0
80 7
60
120 ˚
0˚
10
90˚ 80˚ 7
100 1

ruler

(d)

90 80˚ 7
0˚
60
˚
50
˚
40
˚
30
˚ 2
0˚
10˚
90˚
80 7
100 1

Exercise 1.2 (p. 1-12)

0
10

40°
60 130
120

Foundation Level
50

40
140 30

(a) T
150 20 10
1. 160 0
170 180

(b) F
The angle of incidence is the angle between the
incident ray and the normal.
(c) T 3. (a) Angle of incidence = 90° – 40°
(d) T = 50°
By the laws of reflection,
2. (a) angle of reflection = 50°
170 180

80˚ 90
0
150 20 10

70° (b)
160

70˚

40°
3 0

˚
60
40

50°
140

50
50°
50

40
0
60 130 ˚
80 7
30
120 ˚
0˚
10
90˚ 10˚ 2
100 1
reflected
normal ray

4. By the laws of reflection,
a = 60°
b = 90° – a = 30°

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 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

By the laws of reflection,

5. 13. No.
angle of reflection r = angle of incidence i Diffuse reflection occurs as the angle of incidence
i + r = 80° (given) varies from place to place. All reflections follow the
laws of reflection, so the angles of reflection of the
2i = 80°
rays are different. As a result, the reflected rays are not
i = 40° parallel to each other.
The angle of incidence is 40°.
14. (a) Book A is printed with matt paper.
6. By the laws of reflection, (b) When light rays from the lamp fall on the smooth
x = 40° glossy paper, regular reflection occurs. The glossy
paper reflects too much light from the lamp to
Janice so that book B is difficult to read.
By the laws of reflection,
7.
angle of reflection = 50°
x = 90° – 50° Exercise 1.3 (p. 1-29)
= 40° Foundation Level
1.A
[Link] the laws of reflection, Kate’s image locates at point A as shown.
angle of reflection = angle of incidence An image formed by a plane mirror is located behind
90° – x = 90° – 34° the mirror and at the same distance from the mirror as
x = 34° the object. Besides, the line joining the object and its
image is perpendicular to the mirror.

9. Angle of incidence = 155° – 90° A B C

= 65°
By the laws of reflection,
angle of reflection = 65°
x = 90° – 65°
D
= 25°

10. (a) Regular reflection

No. When strong wind blows over the lake, the
(b)  Katie Lily
water surface becomes wavy. Diffuse reflection
occurs, therefore a clear image cannot be formed.
2. D
Pre-DSE Level
3. C
D
11.
For each point on the object, the object distance is equal
Angle of incidence = 90° – 50°
to the image distance.
= 40°
By the laws of reflection, the angles of reflection for all
rays are 40°. object image

12. B
(1) and (3) are correct.
The water surface has to be flat and smooth for regular
reflection to occur.
(2) is incorrect.
The rays from a single point are always divergent.

6
 1 Reflection of Light

4. A (b) Distance between the mirror and the wall

The object distance increases by 1 m when he walks = distance between the mirror and the wall’s image
1 m away from the mirror. Since the image distance is = 3.8 – 1.4
always equal to the object distance, the image distance
= 2.4 m
increases by 1 m too.
Distance between Tony and the wall
As the image is always of the same size as the object, its
size remains unchanged. = 2.4 – 1.4
=1m

Although our image seems to be smaller when we 8. Distance between Ronald and his image
are moving away from a mirror, the size of the image = object distance + image distance
actually remains unchanged.
= (1 + 2) + (1 + 2)
=6m
5. (a)
9. object image

image

observer

(b)
10. image

mirror

guard
image

6. (a) Distance between the girl and the mirror advertising board

= image distance
= 0.8 m 11. (a) 10 cm
(b) An object and its image are of the same size.
Sandy
Height of the image = height of the girl
= 1.5 m X

board image
7. (a) Image distance = object distance = 1.4 m
Y
Distance between Tony and his image
= 1.4 m + 1.4 m
= 2.8 m
mirror

(b) From (a), the shortest width of the mirror required

is 20 cm (the length of XY).

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 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

Pre-DSE Level 16. (a)

image
12. B
By tracing the reflected rays backwards as shown in the
figure, W, Y and Z may have originated from point I.

W X Y Z

(b)
image

13. A
As light from the ship is reflected twice in the periscope,
17.
the image is not laterally inverted. image
All images formed by mirrors are virtual and of the
same size as the object.
object
14. C
Since the mirror moves towards Kate, the object
distance decreases at 2 cm s–1.
As the image distance is always equal to the object
distance, the image distance decreases at 2 cm s–1
too. Hence the distance between Kate and her image
decreases at (2 + 2) cm s–1, i.e. 4 cm s–1. In other words, observer
Kate’s image moves at 4 cm s–1 towards her.

15. D 18. (a)

An image formed by a plane mirror has the following
O I
properties:
(i) object distance = image distance;
(ii) the line joining the object and its image is 2 cm 2 cm
perpendicular to the mirror.
(b),(c)
Option D fulfils the above criteria.
region where an observer
can see the image
image

O I

2 cm 2 cm

8
 1 Reflection of Light

19. (a) Consider the ray diagram as shown. (c) Student Z can see Y only.
A wall

X
Y' Y
2.5 m P M

B eye level O' O

1.5 m O N whiteboard
image of
Y
whiteboard
C Z
We denote the centre of the fan, the eye and the spot X
Carol stands on by points A, B and C respectively.
△NBC and △MAB are isosceles triangles with
BO = OC and AP = PB.
MN = PB + BO
1 1 Examination Questions
= AB + BC
2 2
1 21. B
= (2.5 + 1.5) m
2 Sketch the image I1 of the object formed by the top
= 2 m mirror. Then, sketch the image I2 of I1 formed by the
(b) Distance between point Y and the ground bottom mirror.
= OC image I1
1
= BC
2
= 0.75 m
top mirror
20. (a) wall

object
Y

mirror

O
observer
bottom mirror
image I2

Z 22. A
X
Sketch the image I1 of the object formed by the top
mirror. Then, sketch the image I2 of I1 formed by the
bottom mirror.
(b) From (a), only Y and Z can see the teacher through
image I1
the mirror.

top mirror

object

observer
image I2
bottom mirror

9
 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

23. Periscope Q.1A 7.

The image formed by periscope Q is erect while that r
formed by periscope P is inverted. 1A x
20°
The observer using periscope Q sees in the same
direction as the object being observed. 1A

r = 90° – 20° 1M
= 70°
Revision Exercise 1 (p. 1-38) By the laws of reflection,
Foundation Level x=r
1. A = 70° 1A

2. D 8. Image in mirror A:  2A
The cat does not give out light by itself. The veterinarian
sees the cat because it reflects light into her eyes.

3. B
Image in mirror B:  2A
By the laws of reflection, (1) is correct and (3) is
incorrect.
(2) follows from the definition of a normal.

4. B
Time taken
9.(a) For mirror A, by the laws of reflection,
distance angle of reflection = angle of incidence 1M
=
speed of light
= 35°
1.50 × 1011
= x = 35° (alt. ∠s, // lines) 1A
3.00 × 108
= 500 s (b) For mirror B,
angle of incidence = 90° – x1M
= 8.33 minutes
= 55°
By the laws of reflection,
5. C r = 55° 1A
The rays from the furthest object are the least divergent.
In the photo, the nearest bus is the furthest from the
photographer. 10. (a)

6.
i
r
x
60°

image

Denote the angles of incidence and reflection by i and r

respectively.
By the laws of reflection,
r=i
= 90° – 60° 1M
= 30°
x=r+i
= 30° + 30°
= 60° 1A

10
 1 Reflection of Light

(b) 15. C
The image is inverted but not laterally inverted. By
flipping the image horizontally, the clock face can be
obtained as shown.

image

object

water surface
The surface of the road is rough when it is dry.
11. 1A
Only diffuse reflection occurs. 1A
When the road is wet, the water surface on the road is image
flat and smooth. 1A
Regular reflection occurs and the wet road serves as a
mirror.1A

The time of the clock is 8:57.

Pre-DSE Level
B
12. 16. (a) O
25°
(1) and (2) are correct.
Fig 1.3e on p. 1-16 is an example. 20°
A
normal
(3) is incorrect because light rays appear to diverge
from a virtual image.
B
normal
13. C
(1) is correct.
An image formed by reflection of light is virtual.
(2) is incorrect. [Normals of the mirror at A and B]1A+1A
Reflection of light always obey the laws of reflection. (b) Angle of incidence at A
(3) is correct. = 25° (alt. ∠s, // lines) 1A
The image distance is the same as the object distance. Angle of incidence at B
= 20° + 25° (alt. ∠s, // lines)
14. C = 45° 1A
The image is erect and laterally inverted. By flipping (c) I
O
the image vertically, the clock face can be obtained as 25°
shown.
A
mirror normal
20° 25°
25°

B
45°
normal
45°

object image
The time of the clock is 8:01.
[Reflected rays] 1A+1A

[Image I located at the intersection of the extended
reflected rays] 1A

11
 Pre-DSE Series - Science (Physics) Basic Study Pack (Second Edition) (Optics) (Solution Guide)

(d) Image I is virtual. 1A (c) Image distance of I2

= object distance
17. (a) Angle of incidence = 90° – 60° = vertical distance between I1 and Matthew’s eye
= 30° 1A = 1.6 m
(b) A Horizontal distance between I2 and Matthew’s eye
= 1.6 + 0.3  1M
= 1.9 m 1A
60°
30° normal 19. (a) Part of his head above his eyes 1A
30° (b), (c)
image of
Peter Peter
B 26 cm
plane
[Ray reflected by mirror A]1A reflector
[Normal] 1A 144 cm
[Angle of incidence] 1A
[Angle of reflection] 1A
A
(c)
[Plane reflector] 1A
[Incident and reflected rays] 1A+1A
60° [Image of Peter] 1A
30° [Virtual rays from the image to Peter] 1A
30° Length of the reflector
i r
1
= (144 + 26)
B 2
[Ray reflected by mirror B]1A = 85 cm 1A
i + 30° + 90° = 180° (∠ sum of △)1M Distance between the bottom of the reflector and
the floor
i = 60°
1
By the laws of reflection, = × 144
2
r = i = 72 cm 1A
= 60° 1A (d) Virtual, 1A
erect, 1A
18. (a) CAUTION2A has the same size as Peter 1A
(b) I1

(a) ECNALUBMA1A
20.
0.4 m 0.3 m 0.4 m
(b) Object distance = image distance
= 6.4 – 0.3 1M
A
= 6.1 m
noticeboard Separation d = 6.1 – 1.5 – 0.3
1.2 m = 4.3 m 1A
(c) Since the ambulance moves faster than Martin’s
I2 car, the separation between them decreases at
(15 – 12) m s–1, i.e. 3 m s–1.1M
B Matthew’s eye
The image of the ambulance approaches Martin
1.2 m + 0.4 m (the observer) from the front 1A
at 3 m s–1.1A
Vertical distance = 1.2 + 0.4 1M
= 1.6 m 1A

12
 1 Reflection of Light

Examination Questions

21. B
The image in the plane mirror is erect and laterally
inverted. By flipping the image vertically, we obtain the
object.

13