Chapter 7: Light

Answers Key
Practice 1
360
1. (a) The number of images N formed by two plane mirrors inclined at an angle θ is given by N  1

360
Substituting we get, N  1  4 1  3
90
360
(b) N  1  5 1  4
72
(c) When the mirrors are parallel (angle θ = 0 ), an infinite number of images will be formed because the
reflection continues indefinitely.
(d) When the mirrors are aligned back to back (angle θ = 180 ), no image is formed.
2. In a periscope, the mirrors are parallel to each other and inclined at an angle of 45° from the line joining them.
3. Magnification m is defined as the ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object. A magnification of
m = 0.4 indicates the image is smaller than the object, specifically, the image is 0.4 times the size of the object.
Since it’s a convex mirror, the image will be virtual, erect and diminished. Convex mirrors always produce
virtual images, which are formed behind the mirror.
v
4. The magnification m is given by m     where v is the image distance, u is the object distance and the focal
length f = −25 cm. u
1 1 1
For a concave mirror, the mirror equation is  
f v u
Given that the magnification is 2, we have two cases:
Case 1 (Magnified, real, inverted image): When the image is real and inverted, magnification m = −2.
v
So 2      v  2u
u
Substituting this in the mirror equation and solving for u, we get,
1 1 1 1 3
   
25 2u u 25 2u
So, u  37.5
So, the object is at 37.5 cm from the mirror, forming an inverted real image.
Case 2 (Virtual and erect image): When the image is virtual and erect, magnification m = 2.
v
So 2      v  2u
u
Substituting this in the mirror equation and solving for u, we get,
1 1 1 1 1
   
25 2u u 25 2u
So, u  12.5

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 Chapter 7: Light

So, the object is at 12.5 cm from the mirror, forming a virtual, erect image.
The object can be placed either at 37.5 cm, forming a real and inverted image, or at 12.5 cm, forming a virtual
and erect image.
5. Convex mirrors are preferred as rear-view mirrors of vehicles because they always give an erect, though
diminished, image. Also, they have a wider area of view as they are curved outwards. Thus, convex mirrors
enable the driver to view much larger area.
6. In a plane mirror, the velocity of the image is twice the velocity of the mirror. So, if the mirror moves at 20 cm/s
towards the object, the image will move at 40 cm/s.
R
7. The focal length f of a concave mirror is half the radius of curvature R: f = .
2
100
So, the focal length of the concave mirror is cm or 50 cm.
2

Practice 2
Da D
1. The apparent depth can be calculated using the formula: = r where, Da = apparent depth,
nair nwater
Dr = real depth, nair = refractive index of air = 1 and nwater = refractive index of water.
Dr 15
Apparent depth,=
Da = = 10 cm
nwater 1.5
The shift in depth (difference between real and apparent depth) is:
Shift = Real depth−Apparent depth = 15 cm – 10 cm = 5 cm
2.

Air (n = 1.00)

Water (n = 1.33)

3. The speed of light in a medium is related to the refractive index n by the formula:

c 3  108
v   2.5 108 m / s
n 1. 2
4. i = 45°, n1 = 1, r = 30°, hence from Snell’s law of refraction:
1 × sin(45°) = n2sin(30°)
So, n2 = 1.414
c
Now, using the formula v = to calculate the speed of light in the medium:
n
3  108
v  2.122 m/s
1.414
1
5. The critical angle θc is calculated using the formula: sinc 
n
 1 
c  sin 1    24.41
 2.42 

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Practice 3
1. The concave lens has a curved side with a radius of curvature of 50 cm and a refractive index of 1.5. Using the
lens formula, we find that the focal length is -100 cm (negative for concave lenses), and the power is -1 diopter.
The negative sign indicates it's a diverging lens. Using the lens maker’s formula:

1  1 1 
  n  1   
f  R1 R 2 
1  1 1 1 1
 1.5  1     0.5  
f  50   50 100

Hence, the focal length: f =−100 cm = −1 cm. (The negative sign indicates it is a concave lens).
1
The power P is given by P  1
f ( in metres )   1 D
1m
2. Using the lens formula:
1 1 1
 
f v u
Here f = 20 cm (focal length of convex lens) u = −60 cm (object distance, negative since the object is in front)
Substituting and solving for v, we get v = 30 cm. Nature of the image: Real, inverted, and diminished.
3. The total power of the lens combination should be zero for the combination to be powerless.
Power of a lens is given by P = 1
f ( in metres )

For the combination to be powerless, P1  P2  Pc  0

Substituting and solving for Pc we get,
1 1
  P  0  5  10  Pc  0
0. 2 0. 1 c
Pc  15 D
v
4. The magnification m is given by m   2 (The image is real and hence inverted.)
u
Hence v  2u
1 1 1
Substituting v  2u into the lens formula   , we get
f v u
1 1 1 1  2 3
   
f 2u u 2u 2u
3f
Therefore, u  
2
For a convex lens with f > 0, the object must be between 1.5f and 2f. The image is real, inverted, and magnified.
5. The deviation of light in a prism depends on the refractive index, which varies with wavelength. Shorter
wavelengths are deviated more. Among red, green, and blue, blue light has the shortest wavelength, so it will
deviate the most.
6. The human eye has an adaptive mechanism controlled by the pupil and the iris. When light intensity increases,
the iris adjusts the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the eye. Initially, the intense light
overwhelms the eye, causing irritation, but after a few moments, the pupil contracts, reducing light entry, and
the irritation subsides.

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 Chapter 7: Light

Exam‒Style Questions
1. Correct answer: c
Explanation: The relative speed between an object and its image in a plane mirror is double the speed of the
object. So, if the object moves at 10 m/s, the relative speed will be 20 m/s.
2. Correct answer: c
Explanation: A concave mirror is used to focus light because it converges light rays at a focal point.
3. Correct answer: a
1 1 1
Explanation: Using the mirror formula:  
f v u
Given v = −20 cm (image distance, real and hence negative) and u = −30 cm (object distance, negative because it
is on the left side of the mirror)
1 1 1  32  1
Substituting the values:      
f 20 30  60  12
So, f  12 cm
4. Correct answer: a
Explanation: Given u1 = −25 cm, u2 = −40 cm, f = −20 cm
v f
We know, m   
u f u
20 20
Substituting we get m1    4
20  25 5
20 20
m2    1
20  40 20
m1 4
 or 4 : 1
m2 1
5. Correct answer: d
Explanation: The number of images N formed by two plane mirrors inclined at an angle θ is given by
360
N 1

360
Substituting we get, N    1  5  1  4
72
6. Correct answer: d
Explanation: The critical angle is inversely proportional to the refractive index. Since violet light has the highest
refractive index (due to its shorter wavelength), it will have the smallest critical angle.
7. Correct answer: d
Explanation: i = 45 , n1 = 2 , n2 = 1, hence from Snell’s law of refraction:
2 × sin(45 ) = 1 × sin(r)
So, angle of refraction, r = 90
8. Correct answer: d
Explanation: The velocity of the image with respect to the ground is the same as the velocity of the mirror
relative to the image: vi  2vm  vo
Since the image is stationary relative to the ground: vi = 0

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Cambridge Connection Bridge Course

Hence 0  2vm  vo  vo  2vm

So, vo  2 10  20 cm/s
Since the mirror is moving towards the object at 10 cm/s, the object is moving in the opposite direction (away
from the mirror) with a velocity of 20 cm/s relative to the ground.
9. Correct answer: a
1 1 1
Explanation: Mirror formula:  
f v u
1 uv uv
Solving for f, we get  f 
f uv uv
10. Correct answer: a
Explanation: Based on the diagram, with two reflections at angles, the values of θ and the deviation can be
calculated using laws of reflection and geometric laws.
θ = 60
Deviation 1 = 180 − 2θ = 180 − (2 × 30) = 120
Deviation 2 = 180 − 2θ = 180 − (2 × 60) = 60
Net deviation = 180
11. Correct answer: b
Explanation: H: Symmetrical (does not show lateral inversion).
O: Symmetrical (does not show lateral inversion).
X: Symmetrical (does not show lateral inversion). This option does not show lateral inversion because all letters
are symmetrical.
12. Correct answer: d
Explanation: The number of images N formed by two plane mirrors inclined at an angle θ is given by
360
N 1

360 360
Substituting we get, 7  1  8 
 
360
Therefore,    45
8
13. Correct answer: a
Explanation: The relative speed between the object and its image in a plane mirror is twice the speed of the
mirror. Therefore, the relative speed is 2 × 5cm/s = 10 cm/s.
After 6 seconds, the relative distance covered will be:
Distance = 10 cm/s × 6s = 60 cm = 0.6 m
Initially, the object and image were 2 m apart (since the object is 1 m from the mirror, and the image is
symmetrically behind the mirror). So the new distance after 6 seconds will be 2 m − 0.6 m = 1.4 m or 140 cm.
14. Correct answer: b
Explanation: If a ray suffers a deviation of 300°, the angle between the mirrors is:
360  300
 30
2
The number of images formed is given by:
360
N  1  12  1  11
30

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 Chapter 7: Light

15. Correct answer: a

Explanation: If A is 4 m from the mirror, the image of A will also be 4 m behind the mirror. The total distance
between A and the image of A is:
4m+4m=8m
Given that B is 10 m away from A’s image, the distance between A and B is:
10 m − 8 m = 2 m
16. Correct answer: b
Explanation: For the ray to retrace its path after reflection, the angle of incidence and reflection must sum to 90 .
The angle between the mirrors in such a situation is given by:
θ = 90 − 22 = 68
17. Correct answer: a
Explanation: When an equi-convex lens is cut into two halves along the principal axis and rejoined side by
side, the power of the combination will remain the same as the original lens, since the shape of the overall lens
remains effectively unchanged.
18. Correct answer: a
Explanation: When the upper half of the lens is painted black, the image still forms but with less intensity,
as only half the lens is being used. The brightness of the image will reduce, but the position of the image will
not change.
19. Correct answer: a
Explanation: Given P1  2 x , P2  3x ,
1
P  P1  P2   2 x  3x
0.30
100
x=
30
1 1
f1  , f2 
2 x 3x
100
Substituting x = , we get
30
1 15 1 10
f1   m  15 cm, f 2   m  10cm
 100  100  100  100
2    3  
 30   30 
20. Correct answer: b
Explanation: The critical angle for total internal reflection is given by:
1 3
sinc  
n 5
The height h of the source below the surface is 4 m. The radius r of the circle through which light emerges can
be calculated using the formula:

  3 
r  h tanc  4  tan  sin 1     4  0.75  3 m
  5 
So, the diameter is 6 m.

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