Class 8 Science: Light Notes
Class 8 Science: Light Notes
• Laws of reflection
— The angle of incidence (∠i) is always equal to the angle of reflection. (∠r), i.e. ∠i = ∠r.
— The incident ray, the normal at the point of incidence and the reflected ray all lie in the same
plane.
• The image formed by a plane mirror is erect. It is virtual (image cannot be obtained on screen)
and is of the same size as the object, The image is at the same distance behind the mirror as the
object is in front of it.
• The image formed by a plane mirror: The left side of the object is seen on the right side in the
image, and right side of the object appears to he on the left side in the image. This is known as
lateral inversion.
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a reflection is known as diffused or irregular reflection. It is caused due to irregularities of the
reflecting surface.
When rays of light fall on smooth shiny surface, they are reflected in a particular direction as
shown in Fig. 16.4 and are parallel. Such a reflection is called regular reflection. Images are formed
by regular reflection.
• Nearly everything we see around is seen due to reflected light. The objects which shine in the
light of other object are called illuminated objects.
The objects which emit their own light are known as luminous objects.
• Periscope: The periscope makes use of two plane mirrors placed in shaped box at 4 5�, as
shown in Fig. 1.5.
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— An interested feature of a kaleidoscope is that you will never- see the same pattern again.
— Designers of fhbries, wallpapers and artists use kaleidoscope to get idea for new patterns.
• Dispersion: Splitting of light into its colours is called dispersion. The sunlight is retrrred to as white
light that consists of seven colours.
• Cornea: The outer coat of the eye is white. Its transparent front part is called cornea.
• Iris: A dark muscular structure present behind cornea is called iris. The colour of the iris
determines the colour of the eye.
• Pupil: It is a small opening in the iris. The size of the pupil is controlled by the is. Thus, iris
controls the amount of light entering into the eye.
• Eye Lens: It is a double convex lens situated behind the iris. The eye lens has the capacity to
change its focal length. So that it can focus the images of objects at different distances an the retina
of the eye.
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Properties of Light:
(i) It is form of energy.
(ii) It travels in straight line.
(iii) Light can form shadows.
˂i=˂r
(ii) The incident ray, the normal to the mirror at the point of incidence and the reflected ray, all
lie in the same plane.
These laws of reflection are applicable to all types of reflecting surface including spherical
surfaces.
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direction. Such as reflection is known as diffuse or irregualar reflection. For example, reflection
Multiple Images:
(i) When two or more mirrors are placed at an angle to one another, we can see multiple images
of an object.
(ii) For example in the hair dresser shop two mirrors are placed opposite to each other. If a man
is sit between them, His image is formed in both the mirrors. The image in one mirror would act
as an object for another mirror and this sequence would continue. This will give result in the
formation of multiple images.
(iii) The number of images formed depends on the angle between the two mirrors. This can be
calculated by using the following formula:
Number of Images =
(iv) If the given two mirrors are at a right angle to each other, 3 images will be obtained. If the
given mirrors are at 60° angle, we shall get 5 images.
(v) When the two mirrors are kept opposite and parallel to each other, we will get infinite
number of images formed.
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Kaleidoscope:
(i) The idea of number of images formed by mirrors placed at an angle to one another is used in a
kaleidoscope to make numerous beautiful patterns.
(ii) To make a kaleidoscope, get three rectangular mirror strips about 15 cm long and 4 cm wide
each. Join them together to form a prism. Fix them in a circular cardboard tube or tube of a thick
chart paper.
Human Eye:
We see objects only when light coming from objects enters our eyes. Eye is one of our most
important sense organs which give us the sense of vision.
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1. Cornea: It is located at the front portion of the eye. It is transparent window that bulges
outwards and responsible for the maximum refraction (bending) of the light that enters the eye.
2. Iris: It is a thin circular, colour part structure. It works like the shutter of eye. It controls the
amount of light entering the eye.
3. Pupil: It is an adjustable circular opening that is located at the centre of the iris. Light enters
into eye through the pupil. When the light amount is high, iris contracts and allows less light into
the eye. When the light amount is low, iris dilates and allows more light into the eye.
4. Lens: It is made of a jelly transparent material and is a biconvex structure. It is present behind
the pupil. The size and thickness of the lens change as per the distance of an object by the ciliary
muscle.
5. Retina: The screen of eye is referred to as retina because the light ray comes through the pupil
and passes through the lens and converges on a screen called retina. Retina is the light – sensitive
inner lining of the back of the eye.
Retina contains several nerve cells. There are two kinds of cells
(i) Cone cells, which are sensitive to bright light and sense colour.
(ii)Rods cells, which are sensitive to dim light.
6. Optic Nerve: It is located at the back of the eye. Optic nerves are the bundle of over one
million nerves fibres that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain.
7. Blind Spot: It is the small region where the optic nerve and the retina meet. It has no sensory
cells. Hence no image is formed at this spot on the retina.
Working of Eye:
(i) Light reflects off from the objects and enters the eyeball through a transparent layer of tissue
at the front of the called the cornea.
(ii) The cornea bends the light rays through the pupil- the dark opening in the center of the
colored portion of the eye.
(iii) The adjusted light passes through the eye’s natural crystalline lens.
(iv) The eye lens converges all the light rays on the retina and images is formed on retina real,
small and inverted.
(v) The retina converts these light rays into electrical signals that are relayed to the brain via the
optic nerve. The brain processes the information it receives, so that in turn, we can see.
Persistence of Vision:
(i) The impression of an image does not vanish immediately from the retina. An image persists
there for about 1/16th of a second. This feature is called persistence of vision.
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(ii) If still images of a moving object are flashed on the eye at a rate faster than 16 per second,
then the eye perceives this object as moving.
Examples: Due to this persistence of vision, when we see many still images in a sequence, they
give the illusion of moving images. Movies and animation are made by exploiting this property
of the human eye.
Care of Eyes:
(i) Eyes are very important sense organ and they are sensitive too. So, It is necessary to take
proper care of your eyes. Some points for care of eyes are as follows:
(ii) If there is any problem you should go to an eye specialist.
(iii) Too bright or too dim light is bad for eyes. Insufficient light causes eyestrain and headaches.
(iv) Do not look at the sun or a powerful light directly.
(v) Never rub your eyes. If particles of dust go into your eyes, wash your eyes with clean water.
If there is no improvement go to a doctor.
(v) Always read the book and news paper at the normal distance for vision. Do not read by
bringing your book too close to your eyes or keeping it too far.
Vision Defects:
Some of the vision defects are as follows:
1. Myopia: A person with myopia can see near object clearly while distant objects appear
blurred. This disease is also called short sightedness or near sightedness. Spectacles with
concave lenses can improve the vision in a myopic person.
2. Hypermetropia: A person with hypermetropia can see distant objects clearly but cannot see
nearby objects distinctly. This disease is also called long sightedness. Spectacles with convex
lenses can improve the vision in a hypermetropic person.
3. Cataract: During old age, the crystalline lens becomes milky and cloudy in a cataract patient
and thus the person cannot see clearly. Cataract is treated by surgery. In cataract surgery, the
cloudy lens is removed and an artificial lens is transplanted in the eye.
1. Optical Aids: Optical aids help a person who is partially visually challenged. These aids
enlarge an image or a text so that they could be visible. Bifocal lenses, contact lenses, tinted
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lenses, magnifiers and telescopic aids, magnifying devices and telescopic devices come under
this category.
2. Non-optical Aids: Non-optical aids help a person who is completely visually challenged. Non-
optical aids include visual aids (magnify words), tactual aids (using the sense of touch), auditory
aids (using the sense of hearing) and electronic aids.
(i) Visual aids can magnify words; provide suitable intensity of light and material at proper
distances.
(ii) Tactual aids, including Braille writer slate and stylus, help the visually challenged persons in
taking notes, reading and writing.
(iii) Auditory aids include cassettes, tape recorders, talking books and other such devices.
Electronic aids, such as talking calculators, are also available for performing many
computational tasks.
(iv) Closed circuit television, also an electronic aid, enlarges printed material with suitable
contrast and illumination.
(v) Now a day, use of audio CDs and voice boxes with computers are also very helpful for
listening to and writing the desired text.
Louis Braille:
The most popular resource for visually challenged persons is known as Braille. Braille code is
used for common languages, mathematics and scientific notation. Louis Braille was born in 1809
in France. He became blind due to an accident in childhood. He developed the Braille script in
1824.
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The laws of reflection
What is the reflection of light?
Incident ray - The ray of light that falls on the surface is called incident ray.
Reflected ray - The ray of the light that gets reflected back from the surface is called reflected
ray.
Normal - It is an imaginary line that is drawn perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the
point where the incident ray strikes the surface or at the point of incidence.
The angle of incidence (θi) - It is the angle that the incident ray makes with the normal.
The angle of reflection (θr) - It is the angle that the reflected ray makes with the normal.
For an incident ray, there is always one reflected ray.
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Consider the figure given above. Here object AB of height ‘h’ is placed at a distance ‘u’
from the mirror.
When the rays of light from this object fall on the mirror, the image of the object is
formed inside the mirror.
Consider the incident rays that fall on the mirror: AP, AO and BO. These incident rays
are reflected back from the mirror as PA, OC and OB.
The rays PA and OC are diverging rays hence we can extend them behind the mirror to
find the point of intersection that is A’.
Similarly, the other reflected rays are extended backwards and virtual image A’B’ of
height ‘h’ of the object AB is formed on the mirror.
Characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror are the following:
o It has the same height as that of the object.
o The distance between the image and the mirror and the object and the mirror is always
equal.
o The image is erect or upright.
o The image is laterally inverted.
o It is a virtual image because it is formed by the apparent intersection of diverging rays.
When parallel rays of light fall on a smooth surface, When parallel rays of light fall upon an irregular surface,
they are reflected back as parallel rays only. This is they are reflected back into all the directions. This is called
called regular reflection. diffused reflection.
It is also called specular reflection. It is also called irregular reflection.
It leads to the formation of an image. It enables us to view different objects present in our
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environment.
For example, the image formed by a plane mirror. For example, the reflection of rays of light through a wall
Illuminated objects - Objects that do not produce light on their own but reflect the light that
falls upon them are called illuminated objects. For example, the moon.
Luminous objects - Objects which can produce light on their own are called luminous objects.
For example, tube light, bulb, the Sun and the Stars.
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Inside the periscope, there are two mirrors that are inclined at an angle of 45
Periscopes are generally used in submarines, tanks and bunkers by the soldiers.
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Figure 10 Patterns inside a Kaleidoscope
Sunlight - white or coloured
The sun is the biggest source of light on the earth.
The sunlight is white in colour however this white light often disperses into several
colours which results in different colours of the sky at different times of the day.
The white light consists of seven colours namely VIBGYOR (violet, indigo, blue, green,
yellow, orange and red).
This arrangement of seven colours of a white light is called as Spectrum.
All these colours mixed together and form the white light. However, due to the
reflection of light, the seven colours can split and be seen as separate colours rather than a
single white light.
This phenomenon of the splitting of light into its constituents is called Dispersion of
light.
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Dispersion of light through the soap Bubbles
Dispersion of light on the CDs
Figure 12
The structure and working of the human eye
Eyes are sensory organs that allow us to see things present in the environment.
The eyes absorb the light rays and form a visual image and transform this information
of the image to the brain.
The eye has a spherical structure which is called the eyeballs. The eyeballs are attached
in the eye socket and various muscles are connected to them called the eye muscles. These
are muscles allow the movement of the eyeballs.
The eyes are protected with eyelids. They prevent an excess of light and dust to enter
into the eyes and therefore save the eyes from any outer objects.
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The parts of the human eye
Cornea - It is a transparent covering present on the outer side of the eyes. It consists of
6 layers. Tear fluid covers cornea and protects the eye.
Iris - It is a dark coloured muscular structure present in the centre of the cornea. The Iris
consists of a small opening call Pupil through which the light enters into the eye. The Iris has
colourful pigments like grey, blue, black, green, brown etc. The amount of light that enters
the eye is controlled by the Iris. In other words, Iris controls the Pupil.
Lens - It is like a sphere of liquid present inside the eye. The eye lens is located behind
the Pupil which helps in the formation of an image in the eye.
Retina- Retina is a layer located behind the lens at the back of the eye. The eye lens
focuses the light that enters into the eye over the retina. The retina consists of different
Nerve cells that perform different tasks. There are sensory cells that detect the light. They
then transform that information into an electrical impulse. These electrical impulses are sent
to the brain via the optic nerve. Two types of vision cells in the retina are:
o Rods or chopsticks - They get activated in darkness or dim-light and the responsible for
light-dark vision.
o Cones - they react to bright light and therefore sense colour in an object.
Vitreous Chamber - The inner space of the eyeball called the transparent vitreous
chamber consists of a gel-like substance. This substance maintains the right pressure in the
eye and maintains the stability of the eyeball.
Blind spot - There is a point in the eye located at the junction of the retina and the optic
nerve where no sensory cells are present. This spot is therefore called the blind spot as it
does not support any vision.
Persistence of image on the retina
The image that is formed on the retina persists for 1/16th of a second.
Therefore, if one tries to move 16 still images per second of a moving object in front of
our eye it appears as if the object is moving. This is how animation films and movies work.
They are a collection of separate pictures which are moved in a sequence.
However, this movement is so fast, around 24 pictures in a second, that it appears as if
they are moving.
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Similarly, some people can see the nearby objects clearly but not the far objects
(nearsightedness or myopia). Hence they use suitable lenses to correct such defects.
Sometimes with old age, the lens of the eye can become cloudy or foggy. This condition
is called cataract with results in loss of vision.
However, this defect can be rectified by removing the old lens from the eye and
inserting an artificial lens at that place.
Defect in Eye Causes
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This loss of vision is up to a degree that cannot be corrected using usual means like
using glasses or lenses.
The people who have no eyesight at all develop the other senses of listening and
touching sharply which allows them to do their day to day activities.
However, there are certain resources that have been developed to help such people:
Non-Optical Aids
Optical Aids
Bifocal Lenses
Contact Lenses They all are used to rectify the limitations of the eyes.
Tinted Lenses
Magnifiers
Telescopic Aids They are used to view the chalkboard and class demonstrations.
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The Braille system
Braille is a tactual aid for visually challenged people that allow them to read and write.
It was developed by a visually challenged person called Louis Braille. This system was
published by him in 1821 however the present Braille System was adopted in 1932.
For many common languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Mathematics and
scientific notations a Braille code is present.
In the Braille code, there are 63 Dots or 63 Characters.
These are arranged in a cell of two vertical rows having three dots each.
The patterns are embossed on a Braille Sheet that allows a person to read by touching
the pattern. Each character in the Braille system can represent:
1. a letter
2. a combination of letters or a word
3. a grammatical sign
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Definition of light
Light is a form of energy that enables us to see various things present in our
surroundings.
Now the question arises how do we see the things that surround us?
When light falls on an object, some part of the light is reflected back to our eyes. Then,
we are able to see an object due to the light being reflected from it.
Light is an electromagnetic wave that can travel through a medium (any substance
including air, water, and glass) and vacuum. The only natural source of light is sunlight.
Sunlight plays an important role in our daily life and helps us in doing our routine works.
Types of Objects
There are two types of objects and it totally depends on whether they have their own
light or not as follows –
1. Luminous
2. Non luminous
Luminous Objects
The objects which have their own light.
For example, bulb and tube light that we used at home.
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Types of phenomenon
1. Absorption
When light falls on a surface and gets absorbed it is known as absorption.
The surface which absorbs the light looks black. So, we can say that black is a perfect
emitter and absorber of light.
2. Transmition
The process when light falls on a surface may pass through the surface is known as
transmition.
The surface which allows the light to fully pass through it looks transparent.
3. Reflection
The process when light reflects or bounces back is called reflection.
Reflection is the process which is useful in seeing our surroundings.
Q. What is Reflection?
Answer: Reflection is the bouncing back of light rays on striking the surface.
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Characteristic of best Reflector
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5. Angle of incidence
The angle made by the incident ray with the normal is called as angle of incidence. It is
denoted by ‘∠i’.
6. Angle of reflection
The angle made by the reflected ray with the normal at point of incidence is called as
angle of reflection. It is denoted by ‘∠r’.
1.
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1. Point sources: These sources have very small size. In physics, it is represented
with dot.
Types of mirrors
There are two types of mirrors as follows:
1. Plane mirror
2. Spherical mirror
The one side of plane mirror has polished, smooth surface and light is reflected from
the inner surface of the plane mirror.
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Spherical mirror: The mirrors that have curved reflecting surface.
1. Concave mirror
2. convex mirror
Concave mirror
The mirror in which reflection takes place in the inner surface. For example, the inside
curve of a spoon. Concave mirrors are used in certain types of astronomical telescopes
called as reflecting telescopes.
Convex mirror
The mirror in which reflection takes place in the outer surface. For example, the outside
of a balloon. Convex mirrors are useful for shop security and rear-view mirrors on
vehicles because they give a wider field of vision.
Types of images
Image is formed when reflected ray meet or appears to meet at a point.
There are two types of images:
1. Real image
2. Virtual image
Real Image
The image which is formed when reflected rays actually meet at a certain point. It is
always inverted. It can be obtained on a screen.
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Virtual Image
The image which is formed when reflected rays do not meet actually but appear to meet
at certain point. It is always erect. It cannot be obtained on a screen.
Types of Reflection
1. Regular Reflection
2. Diffused Reflection
Regular reflection
The kind of reflection in which all reflected rays are parallel to each other and it occurs
through a smooth surface.
Regular reflection refers to a clear and sharp reflection, like the ones you get in a
mirror. A mirror is made of glass which is coated with a uniform layer of a highly
reflective material such as aluminum powder.
Diffused reflection
The kind of reflection in which reflected rays split in different directions and it occurs
through rough surface.
The light reflected from the wall, from the trees, from whatever rough surface, these are
the examples of diffused reflection.
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LIGHT
HOTS
1. Where does the image form in our eye?
2. Which bird is called night bird?
3. Which part of eyes is controlled by iris?
4. What are the uses of kaleidoscope?
5. What is the function of rods and cones in our eye?
6. What is blind spot?
7. Which cells of the retina are sensitive to bright light and color?
8. What is the distinct vision of normal eye?
LIGHT
Sample paper Questions
1. Where does the image form is our eye?
2. What is the shape of human eye?
3. What is the working of iris?
4. Define normal?
5. Define angle of incidence?
6. What is a reflection of light? State laws of reflection.
7. How will you prove that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
8. Explain the structure and working of a human eye.
9. What is blindness? How many types of blindness do we know about?
LIGHT
TEST
Maximum time: 35 minutes
Maximum marks: 20 marks
1. Name the parts of a human eye. 1
2. How many types of reflection are there? Name them. 2
3. Write the name of colors of sun rays? 1
4. How should we care our eyes? Write any three. 3
5. Differentiate between regular and diffused reflection? 3
6. Describe Braille system. 2
7. Verify the laws of reflection by an activity. 4
8. Write various precautions to save our eyes. 4
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