Science 10 Quarter 2 Module 4
Science 10 Quarter 2 Module 4
Science 10 Quarter 2 Module 4
In this module, you will study two of the properties of visible light – reflection and refraction.. As you walk
through the pages of this module, you will be able to use the laws of reflection and refraction in order to describe
and explain how images are by formed by mirrors and lenses.
One of the objectives of this module is to make you aware of the applications of the different types of mirrors
and lenses so you can select the right type of mirrors and lenses that you can use in your daily lives.
After going through this module, you should be able to predict the qualitative characteristics (location,
orientation, type, and magnification) of images formed by plane and curved mirrors.
What’s In
Are you familiar with an ambulance? What is it for? How is the word “AMBULANCE”
written on the vehicle?
Answer: _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Now, get a plane mirror and place this picture of ambulance in front of the
mirror. What do you observe?
What you have observed with the image of the word “AMBULANCE” on the mirror is called “lateral
inversion” . This results from the reflection of light on the plane mirror.
What’s New
In this module, you will learn more about reflection of light in plane and curved mirrors. Here are some
important terms which you need to understand. Study the picture below.
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Analysis: Using the picture above, complete the first law of reflection :
The other law states that “The normal line, the incident ray, and the reflected ray lie on the same plane”.
What Is It
The laws of reflection are true for all types of mirrors. A regular reflection takes place when visible light
rays fall on the smooth surface of a mirror, whether plane or curved. Regular reflection enables a surface to form
images. The illustration below shows how an image is formed in front of a plane mirror.
Now, get a metal spoon and try to look at YOUR reflection on it. Are your reflections on both
surfaces (inner and outer) of the spoon the same?
The surface of a metal spoon is an example of a curved mirror. A curved mirror is a mirror with a
curved reflecting surface. There are two kinds of curved mirrors and they are shown below.
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Again, it is very important to remember that formation of images in front of a mirror can happen because
of regular reflection. How are the images formed by curved mirrors?
In locating the image formed in curved mirrors graphically, three important points are considered. They are
shown below.
What’s More
• Any incident ray traveling parallel to the principal axis on the way to the mirror will pass through
the focal point upon reflection.
• Any incident ray passing through the focal point on the way to the mirror will travel parallel to the
principal axis upon reflection.
The method for drawing ray diagrams for concave mirror is described below. The method is applied to the
task of drawing a ray diagram for an object located beyond the center of curvature (C) of a concave mirror. Yet the
same method works for drawing a ray diagram for any object location.
1. Pick a point on the top of the object and draw two incident
rays traveling towards the mirror.
Using a straight edge, accurately draw one ray so that it passes exactly
through the focal point on the way to the mirror. Draw the second ray
such that it travels exactly parallel to the principal axis. Place arrowheads
upon the rays to indicate their direction of travel.
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2. Once these incident rays strike the mirror, reflect them
according to the two rules of reflection for concave mirrors.
The ray that passes through the focal point on the way to the mirror will
reflect and travel parallel to the principal axis. Use a straight edge to
accurately draw its path. The ray that traveled parallel to the principal axis
on the way to the mirror will reflect and travel through the focal point. Place
arrowheads upon the rays to indicate their direction of travel. Extend the
rays past their point of intersection.
1. Pick a point on the top of the object and draw two incident rays
traveling towards the mirror.
Using a straight edge, accurately draw one ray so that it travels towards the focal
point on the opposite side of the mirror; this ray will strike the mirror before reaching
the focal point; stop the ray at the point of incidence with the mirror. Draw the
second ray such that it travels exactly parallel to the principal axis. Place arrowheads
upon the rays to indicate their direction of travel.
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appear to diverge from upon reflecting off the mirror. Of course, the rest of the
object has an image as well and it can be found by applying the same three steps
for another chosen point.
This time, you need to do – it – yourself. Using a protractor and a ruler, locate the
images formed by curved mirrors by following the steps correctly.
Concave Mirror
Convex Mirror
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What I Can Do
Summarize the characteristics and location of the images formed in the ray
diagram by completing the table below.
Location of Image
Object
Location Orientation Size Type of Image
(Upright or (Same, Reduced, (Real or Virtual)
Inverted) or Enlarged)
CONCAVE
A. Beyond C
B. At C
C. Between C
and F
D. At F
E. Between F
and the mirror
CONVEX
F. Farther
than C
G. Between F
and the mirror
Questions:
1. What type of mirror do dentists use to clearly see the images of our teeth?
2. What kind of curved mirror do you see in most of the department stores? Why do
they use such kind of mirrors?