CLASS 10 SCIENCE

Chapter 9 — Light: Reflection and Refraction

Student-Friendly Detailed Notes • Part 4

Main focus: High-yield NCERT concepts, important observations, diagrams-to-practise, common

misconceptions, assertion-style reasoning, case-based concepts, and exam-ready revision.

1. Image Nature — The Big Picture

An image can be classified using three basic ideas: whether it is real or virtual, whether it is erect or
inverted, and whether it is magnified, same size or diminished.

A real image is formed when reflected or refracted rays actually meet. A real image can generally be
obtained on a screen. A virtual image is formed when rays only appear to meet; it cannot be obtained on a
screen.

Key Points
• Real image → rays actually meet.

• Virtual image → rays only appear to meet.

• Erect → upright.

• Inverted → upside down.

• Magnified → larger than object.

• Diminished → smaller than object.

2. Real Image vs Virtual Image

Understanding this difference makes many ray-diagram questions easier.

Real Image Virtual Image

Actual rays meet. Rays do not actually meet.
Can generally be obtained on a screen. Cannot be obtained on a screen.
Usually inverted in the common mirror/lens cases studiedUsually
here. erect in the common cases studied here.
Example: image formed by a concave mirror when object Example:
is beyondimage
F. in a plane mirror.

3. Magnification — Meaning, Sign and Size

Magnification is the ratio of image height to object height. It tells us how large or small the image is
compared with the object.

For mirrors, m = −v/u. For lenses, m = v/u.

A negative magnification represents an inverted image, while a positive magnification represents an erect
image.

Key Points
• |m| > 1 → enlarged image.
• |m| = 1 → same size.

• |m| < 1 → diminished image.

• Do not ignore the sign of magnification.

4. Concave Mirror — Complete Image-Formation Revision
Concave mirror questions are frequently tested through tables and ray diagrams. Learn the object position
and immediately connect it to image position, nature and size.

Object Image Nature Size

At infinity At F Real, inverted Highly diminished

Beyond C Between C and F Real, inverted Diminished

At C At C Real, inverted Same

Between C and F Beyond C Real, inverted Enlarged

At F At infinity Real, inverted Highly enlarged

Between F and P Behind mirror Virtual, erect Enlarged

Memory pattern: As an object moves from infinity towards F, the real image generally moves from F
towards infinity and becomes larger. Once the object comes inside F, the image becomes virtual, erect and
enlarged.

5. Convex Mirror — Complete Revision

A convex mirror always forms a virtual, erect and diminished image for a real object. The image lies behind
the mirror between P and F.

Key Points
• At infinity → image at F, highly diminished.

• At any finite object position → image between P and F, virtual, erect and diminished.

• Convex mirror gives a wide field of view.

6. Convex Lens — Complete Image-Formation Revision

Object Image Nature Size

At infinity At F■ Real, inverted Highly diminished

Beyond 2F■ Between F■ and 2F■ Real, inverted Diminished

At 2F■ At 2F■ Real, inverted Same

Between F■ and 2F■ Beyond 2F■ Real, inverted Enlarged

At F■ At infinity Real, inverted Highly enlarged

Between F■ and O Same side as object Virtual, erect Enlarged

7. Concave Lens — Complete Revision

For a real object, a concave lens always forms a virtual, erect and diminished image on the same side of the
lens as the object.

Key Points
• At infinity → image at F■, highly diminished.

• At any finite distance → image between O and F■, virtual, erect and diminished.
8. Important NCERT Applications
Rear-view mirror: A convex mirror is used because it provides a wider field of view and produces an erect,
diminished image.

Shaving/makeup mirror: A concave mirror can produce an enlarged, erect image when the face is placed
between the pole and focus.

Vehicle headlights: A concave reflector can direct light into a more nearly parallel beam when the source is
placed near the focus.

Solar furnace: A concave mirror can concentrate sunlight near its focus.

Magnifying glass: A convex lens forms a virtual, erect and enlarged image when the object is within its
focal length.

9. Refraction Through a Glass Slab — What to Draw

A rectangular glass slab question usually expects a labelled ray diagram. Draw a rectangular slab, an
incident ray, a normal at the first surface, a refracted ray inside the glass, a normal at the second surface
and the emergent ray.

The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray but is shifted sideways. The angle between the incident ray's
original direction and the emergent ray's line of displacement is associated with lateral displacement.

Key Points
• Mark i at the first surface.

• Mark r inside the slab.

• At the second surface show bending away from the normal.

• Show the emergent ray parallel to the incident ray.

10. Atmospheric Refraction — Cause and Effects

Air is not optically uniform. Different layers can have different temperatures and densities. Light passing
through these layers is continuously refracted.

This produces effects such as twinkling of stars and the apparent early visibility of the Sun near the horizon.

Observation Main reason

Twinkling of stars Continuous atmospheric refraction through changing layers
Advanced sunrise Atmospheric refraction makes the Sun appear above the horizon earlier
Delayed sunset Atmospheric refraction keeps the Sun apparently visible slightly longer

11. Refractive Index — What It Tells You

Refractive index is related to the speed of light in a medium. For a medium relative to vacuum, n = c/v.

If n is larger, the speed of light in that medium is lower relative to a medium with smaller refractive index.

Refractive index has no unit because it is a ratio of two speeds.

Key Points
• Refractive index is dimensionless.
• Always distinguish absolute refractive index from relative refractive index.

• Use the value and context given in the question rather than assuming every material has the same
refractive index.
12. Common Misconceptions — Correct Them
Misconception 1: 'The normal is the reflected ray.'
Correct: The normal is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.

Misconception 2: 'Angles are measured from the mirror.'

Correct: Angles of incidence and reflection are measured from the normal.

Misconception 3: 'A convex mirror can make a real image of a real object.'
Correct: In the Class 10 situations studied, a convex mirror forms a virtual, erect and diminished image.

Misconception 4: 'Diffuse reflection does not obey reflection laws.'

Correct: It still obeys the laws at every point; the rough surface has many different normals.

Misconception 5: 'A virtual image is not an image.'

Correct: A virtual image is a valid image formed by the apparent intersection of rays and can be seen by the
eye.

Misconception 6: 'Power uses focal length in centimetres.'

Correct: Convert focal length to metres before calculating power in dioptres.

13. Assertion-Style Concept Practice

A: A convex mirror is preferred for rear-view mirrors. Reason: It gives a wider field of view and forms a
diminished erect image. → Both statements are correct and the reason explains the assertion.

A: Stars twinkle. Reason: Starlight undergoes atmospheric refraction through changing layers of air. → Both
are correct and the reason explains the observation.

A: A ray passing through the optical centre of a thin lens is approximately undeviated. Reason: The
deviations at the two refracting surfaces approximately cancel. → Both are correct.

A: A concave lens can form a real image of a real object. Reason: It is a converging lens. → Both are
incorrect; a concave lens is diverging and forms a virtual, erect and diminished image for a real object.

14. Case-Based Concept — Rear-View Mirror

A driver sees several vehicles behind using a convex mirror. The images appear smaller but upright.

Questions to think about: Which mirror is being used? Why is the image diminished? Why does the mirror
allow the driver to see a larger area?

Key Points
• Mirror: convex.

• Image: virtual, erect and diminished.

• Main advantage: wider field of view.

15. Case-Based Concept — Magnifying Glass

A student uses a convex lens as a magnifying glass and places a small object between the optical centre
and focus.

The lens produces a virtual, erect and enlarged image. This is why a convex lens can be used as a simple
magnifier.
16. Diagram Practice List
These are the diagrams you should be able to draw without looking at your notes:

Key Points
• Reflection from a plane mirror showing i, r and normal.

• Concave mirror: object beyond C.

• Concave mirror: object at C.

• Concave mirror: object between C and F.

• Concave mirror: object between F and P.

• Convex mirror: object at a finite distance.

• Refraction through a rectangular glass slab.

• Convex lens: object beyond 2F.

• Convex lens: object between F and 2F.

• Convex lens: object between O and F.

• Concave lens: standard ray diagram.

17. How to Write a 3-Mark Ray-Diagram Answer

Step 1: Draw the principal axis.

Step 2: Mark the required points such as P, F, C or O, F■, F■.

Step 3: Draw two standard rays with arrows.

Step 4: Locate the image using intersection or backward extension.

Step 5: Label the image and write its nature and size.

18. How to Write a Numerical Answer

A strong numerical answer should be easy for an examiner to follow.

Given: Write the quantities with signs and units.

Formula: Write the appropriate formula.

Substitution: Put values into the formula.

Calculation: Show the important algebraic step.

Answer: Give the value with unit and interpret the sign.

19. High-Yield Formula Sheet

Reflection: ∠i = ∠r

Mirror: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u

Mirror magnification: m = −v/u = h■/h■

Lens: 1/f = 1/v − 1/u

Lens magnification: m = v/u = h■/h■

Power: P = 1/f, where f is in metres

Refractive index: n = c/v

Snell's law: sin i/sin r = constant

Spherical mirror relation: R = 2f in magnitude

20. Rapid-Fire Questions for Self-Test
1. From which line is the angle of incidence measured?

2. What is the difference between real and virtual images?

3. Which mirror always forms a diminished, erect image?

4. Which mirror can form a magnified erect image?

5. Which lens is converging?

6. Which lens always gives a virtual, erect and diminished image for a real object?

7. What is the SI unit of lens power?

8. Why is focal length converted into metres for power?

9. What causes the twinkling of stars?

10. Why is the emergent ray from a rectangular glass slab parallel to the incident ray?

11. What does a positive magnification indicate?

12. What does a negative magnification indicate?

Answers: 1. Normal. 2. Actual vs apparent intersection of rays. 3. Convex mirror. 4. Concave mirror when
object is between P and F. 5. Convex lens. 6. Concave lens. 7. Dioptre. 8. The definition P = 1/f uses
metres. 9. Atmospheric refraction. 10. The two parallel surfaces cause equal/opposite angular deviations
overall. 11. Erect image. 12. Inverted image.

21. Final Chapter-9 Master Map

LIGHT
→ Reflection → plane mirror → spherical mirrors → concave/convex → ray diagrams → mirror formula →
magnification
→ Refraction → laws → refractive index → glass slab → lateral displacement → atmospheric refraction
→ Lenses → convex/concave → ray diagrams → image formation → lens formula → magnification → power

22. Final Exam Checklist

Key Points
• Definitions: reflection, refraction, refractive index, focal length, principal focus.

• Laws: reflection and refraction.

• Diagrams: mirrors, lenses and glass slab.

• Tables: concave mirror and convex lens image formation.

• Concepts: atmospheric refraction and applications.

• Numericals: mirror formula, lens formula, magnification, power.

• Sign convention: practise until it becomes automatic.

• Always state image nature, size and position where asked.