Class 10 Physics - Chapter: Light (Reflection and Refraction)
1. Important Definitions and Laws
- Reflection: Bouncing back of light in the same medium after hitting a surface.
- Laws of Reflection:
1. Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
2. Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal lie in the same plane.
- Refraction: Bending of light when it passes from one medium to another.
- Laws of Refraction:
1. Incident ray, refracted ray, and normal lie in the same plane.
2. Snell's Law: n1 sin i = n2 sin r
- Medium with higher optical density bends light more.
2. Types of Mirrors and Lenses
- Plane Mirror: Virtual, erect image of same size.
- Concave Mirror: Can form real or virtual images depending on object position.
- Convex Mirror: Always forms virtual, diminished, erect image.
- Concave Lens: Always forms virtual, diminished, erect image.
- Convex Lens: Can form real or virtual images depending on object position.
3. Mirror Formula and Lens Formula
- Mirror Formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u
- Lens Formula: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u
- Magnification (mirror) m = -v/u
- Magnification (lens) m = v/u
- Sign Convention: Distances measured in the direction of incident light are positive.
Class 10 Physics - Chapter: Light (Reflection and Refraction)
4. Ray Diagrams (Concave & Convex)
Important ray diagrams:
- Concave mirror: object at infinity, C, between C and F, at F, between F and P.
- Convex mirror: only one diagram needed (always virtual, diminished).
Lens diagrams:
- Convex lens: object at infinity, 2F, between F and 2F, at F, between lens and F.
- Concave lens: always virtual, erect, diminished.
5. NCERT & Exemplar Questions
Q1. Why do we prefer convex mirrors for rear-view in vehicles?
A: They provide a wider field of view and form erect images.
Q2. An object is placed at 20cm from a concave mirror of focal length 10cm. Find image distance.
Using mirror formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u
=> 1/(-10) = 1/v + 1/(-20) --> Solve to get v = -20 cm
6. PYQs & Sample Paper (Easy to Extreme)
Q1. (Easy) Define principal focus of a concave mirror.
Q2. (Medium) An object is placed 30cm from a convex lens of focal length 15cm. Find position and nature of
image.
Q3. (Hard) Draw ray diagram: object between F and 2F in convex lens.
Q4. (Extreme) A lens forms an image three times the size of the object on the same side. Identify lens and
calculate distance.
7. Revision Table
Class 10 Physics - Chapter: Light (Reflection and Refraction)
Mirror | Real or Virtual | Inverted or Erect | Enlarged or Diminished
--------------|------------------|-------------------|------------------------
Concave (C) | Real | Inverted | Same size
Concave (F) | Real | Inverted | Enlarged
Convex | Virtual | Erect | Diminished
Lens | Real or Virtual | Inverted or Erect | Enlarged or Diminished
--------------|------------------|-------------------|------------------------
Convex (2F) | Real | Inverted | Same size
Concave | Virtual | Erect | Diminished
8. Short Tricks for Revision
- Real & Inverted = Always on opposite side of object (except virtual cases).
- Concave Mirror = Zoom mirror (makeup mirror), Convex Mirror = Rear-view mirror.
- Convex Lens = Used in magnifying glasses, Concave Lens = For myopia correction.