Living Science 2020 2021 for Class 8 Science Chapter

16 - Reflection Of Light
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Page No 214:

Question 1:

A beam of light falls on a smooth wall. Will you observe regular reflection or diffused
reflection from the wall?

Answer:

When a beam of light is incident on a smooth and plane surface, the type of reflection is
called Regular Reflection. Hence, in the given case, a regular reflection would be
observed.

Page No 214:

Question 2:

The angle of incidence is the angle between a ray of light and the mirror. Do you agree?
Give reasons.

Answer:

No, because the angle of incidence is defined as the angle made by the incident ray with
the normal to the mirror.

Page No 214:

Question 3:

Which law determines the direction of the reflected ray from a plane mirror?

Answer:

The second laws of reflection determines the direction of the reflected ray from the plane
mirror. This law is stated in the following manner:

The angle of incidence (between the incident ray and the normal to the surface ) is equal
to the angle between the reflected ray and the normal to the surface (angle of reflection).
​

Page No 217:

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Question 1:

Why do we say that a plane mirror forms a virtual image of an object?

Answer:

When light rays from an object fall on a plane mirror, they get reflected from the mirror.
After reflection, they never meet at any point in real but they appear to meet at some
point. That's why the image formed by a plane mirror cannot be obtained on a screen. So,
we say that the image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual in nature.

Page No 217:

Question 2:

Somebody asks you to count the number of images formed by two mirrors kept parallel to
each other. Can you do this? Why?

Answer:

No, we can not count all the images formed by two plane mirrors kept parallel to each
other. Due to multiple reflections, the number of images formed between the mirrors is
infinite. Hence, they can not be counted.

Page No 217:

Question 3:

As the angle between two plane mirrors decreases, the number of images increases. Do
you agree? If the angle is given, how will you find the number of images without
performing an experiment?

Answer:

The number of images formed between two plane mirror is indirectly proportional to the
angle between them. That's why when the angle between the mirror decreases, the
number of images formed increases.

The number of images formed by two plane mirror kept at an angle of 'θθ' is given by the
formula, n=(360°θ)−1n=360°θ-1

Hence, if the angle between the mirrors is given, we can calculate the number of images
without performing the experiment.

Page No 218:

Question 1:

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The angle of incidence is
(a) the angle that the incident ray makes with the mirror
(b) the angle that the incident ray makes with the normal at the point of incidence
(c) 180° minus the angle that the incident ray makes with the mirror
(d) the angle that the incident ray makes with the reflected ray

Answer:

(b) the angle that the incident ray makes with the normal at the point of incidence
The angle of incidence is the angle made by an incident ray with the normal at the point of
incidence.

Page No 218:

Question 2:

If you stand in front of a plane mirror and scratch your left cheek, your image
(a) scratches its left cheek.
(b) scratches its right cheek.
(c) scratches both cheeks one by one.
(d) does not scratch at all.

Answer:

(b) scratches its right cheek

In a plane mirror, the image is laterally inverted.

Page No 218:

Question 3:

The image formed by a plane mirror is

(a) virtual, erect, behind the mirror and smaller than the object.
(b) virtual, erect, behind the mirror and the same size as the object.
(c) virtual, inverted, behind the mirror and the same size as the object.
(d) real, erect, behind the mirror and the same size as the object.

Answer:

(b) virtual, erect, behind the mirror and of the same size as the object

Image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual, erect, behind the mirror and of the
same size as the object.

Page No 218:

Question 4:

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If the angle between the mirror and the incident ray is 30°, the angle of reflection is
(a) 30°.
(b) 60°.
(c) 15°.
(d) 90°.

Answer:

(b) 60⁰

Incident angle = Angle of reflection

Incident angle = 90° - 30° = 60° = Angle of reflection

Page No 219:

Question 5:

The image formed by a plane mirror is formed

(a) on the surface of the mirror.
(b) just in front of the mirror.
(c) just behind the mirror.
(d) as much behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.

Answer:

(d) as much behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.
The image formed by a plane mirror is formed as much behind the mirror as the object is
in front of the mirror.

Page No 219:

Question 6:

Two plane mirrors are kept at the following angles one by one. In which case is the
number of images formed maximum?
(a) 30°
(b) 60°
(c) 45°
(d) 90°

Answer:

(a) 30⁰

When two plane mirrors are inclined to each other at an angle of 30⁰, the number of
images formed is maximum.

Page No 219:

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Question 1:

Is the reflection of light by the smooth walls of your house regular or irregular?

Answer:

The reflection of light from the walls of our house is irregular, as at the microscopic level,
their surfaces are not smooth. This is known as diffuse reflection. The roughness or
smoothness of a surface, even if it is microscopical, tremendously affects the subsequent
reflection of a beam of light.

Page No 219:

Question 2:

A plane mirror always forms the image of an object exactly on the reflecting surface. True
or false?

Answer:

True.
A plane mirror always forms a virtual image, i.e., the rays of light from the object don't
actually form the image; but these are the extensions of the reflected light rays that appear
to intersect behind the mirror. Hence, the image is formed on the reflecting surface.

Page No 219:

Question 3:

Is the image formed by a plane mirror exactly of the same size as the object?

Answer:

Yes, the image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual, erect, behind the mirror and of
the same size as the object.

Page No 219:

Question 4:

The image formed by a plane mirror is always erect. True or false?

Answer:

True
The image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual, erect, behind the mirror and of the
same size as the object.

Page No 219:

Question 5:

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If angle of incidence of a ray on a plane mirror is 60°, what is the angle of reflection?

Answer:

In optics, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Therefore, the angle of
reflection will also be 60°.

Page No 219:

Question 6:

The angle of incidence of a ray on a mirror is the angle that the ray makes with the mirror
at the point of incidence. True or false?

Answer:

False. The angle of incidence is the angle made by an incident ray with a perpendicular to
the mirror at the point of incidence.

Page No 219:

Question 7:

Two plane mirrors kept at 60° form __________ images of an object kept between
them.

Answer:

Two plane mirrors kept at 60° form 5 images of an object kept between them.

The number of images formed by two plane mirrors kept at a particular angle are as
follows:
n = [(360°/Θ) - 1 ] when (360°/Θ) is even integer, and
n = (360°/Θ) when (360°/Θ) is odd integer
Here, Θ is the angle between the two mirrors.
Therefore, the number of images formed (n) = [(360°/60°) - 1 ] = [6 - 1] = 5

Page No 219:

Question 8:

In a kaleidoscope, the mirrors make an angle of __________ with each other.

Answer:

In a kaleidoscope, the mirrors make an angle of 60° with each other.

Page No 219:

Question 1:

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What is reflection of light?

Answer:

Reflection of light is the phenomenon in which a ray of light bounces back after striking a
surface.

Page No 219:

Question 2:

What is the second law of reflection?

Answer:

The second law of reflection states that incident ray, normal and reflected ray all lies in
the same plane.

Page No 219:

Question 3:

What is lateral inversion?

Answer:

Lateral inversion is a type of reversal that occurs with an image formed by a plane mirror.
For example, if a person raises his/her right hand, his/her image in the mirror will show
the left hand up.

Page No 219:

Question 4:

Draw the image of the letter 'B' as formed by a plane mirror placed on the right side of 'B'.

Answer:

The image of the letter 'B' as formed by a plane mirror placed on the right side of 'B' is as
follows:

Page No 219:

Question 5:

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What is the function of a periscope in a submarine?

Answer:

The periscope of a submarine helps its crew to locate any object or enemy ship on the
surface of the sea.

Page No 219:

Question 1:

Differentiate between regular and diffused reflection. Draw diagrams to show the two
types of reflections.

Answer:

Regular reflection Diffused reflection

It takes place on a smooth surface where It takes place on a rough surface where
the entire beam is reflected in only one the beams of light are reflected in different
direction. directions.

Page No 219:

Question 2:

State the first law of reflection, and show it by a labelled diagram.

Answer:

The first law of reflection states that the angle of incident is equal to the angle of
reflection.

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Page No 219:

Question 3:

Why are multiple images formed when two mirrors are placed at right angles to each
other?

Answer:

When two mirrors are placed at a right angle to each other, multiple images are formed
due to multiple reflections. The image formed by the first mirror acts as the object for the
second mirror.

Page No 219:

Question 4:

Calculate the number of images formed by plane mirrors kept at an angle of 10° to each
other.

Answer:

The number of images formed by two plane mirrors kept at an angle of 10° to each other
can be given by:
n = [(360°/Θ) - 1 ]
Therefore, the number of images formed (n) = [(360°/10°) - 1 ] = [36 - 1] = 35

Page No 219:

Question 5:

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What is a kaleidoscope? State the principle on which it is based.

Answer:

A kaleidoscope is a tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession

of symmetrical designs by means of multiple mirror reflections. The constantly changing
patterns are made by bits of coloured glasses present at one end of the tube. The
kaleidoscope operates on the principle of multiple reflections, where several mirrors are
placed at an angle of 60°(usually) to one another.

Page No 219:

Question 1:

List the main characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.

Answer:

The main characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror are as follows:

1. It forms a virtual image.
2. Image is formed behind the mirror.
3. Image is erect.
4. Image is of the same size as the object.
5. Image is at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.

Page No 219:

Question 2:

State three uses of a plane mirror.

Answer:

Three uses of a plane mirror are:

1) Plane mirrors are mostly used to reflect light on an object.
2) Plane mirrors are also used in scientific apparatus like telescopes and periscopes.
3) Plane mirrors are also used in kaleidoscopes for producing symmetrical patterns
through multiple reflections from inclined mirrors enclosed in a tube.

Page No 220:

Question 3:

Two mirror are kept perpendicular to each other. A ray strikes one mirror at an angle of
45° to the normal. Find the direction of the ray after reflection by the second mirror, by
drawing a ray diagram.

Answer:

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Here, i1 = r1 = i2 = r2 = 450

Page No 220:

Question 1:

In which direction will a light ray falling along the normal to a mirror be reflected?

Answer:

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. If the incident ray falls along the
normal to a surface, it will be reflected along the normal i.e., the right ray will retrace its
path.

Page No 220:

Question 2:

A ray incident on a plane mirror is reflected in a direction such that the angle between the
incident and the reflected ray is 90°. What are the angles of incidence and reflection?

Answer:

The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.
i.e., i + r = 900 (given)....... (1)
where, i and r have their usual meaning
Therefore, from the law of reflection, i = r
Now, putting it in equation (1)
=> i + i = 900
=> i = 450
=> r = i = 450

Page No 220:

Question 3:

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If all objects around us were to reflect light in a regular way, what problems might we
face?

Answer:

Irregular reflection is what enables us to see all the objects around us. But, in case of a
regular reflection, every object would have acted as a mirror thereby illuminating the
surroundings. This would have a blinding effect on our eyes making it harder for us to see
things around us.

Page No 220:

Question 4:

A boy is standing at a distance of 4 m in front of a mirror. He moves 2 m towards the

mirror. In which direction will the image move−towards the mirror or away from it?

Answer:

In a plane mirror, the image is formed at the same distance behind the mirror as the
object is in front of it. Hence, when the boy moves towards the mirror, his image will also
move towards it by the same distance.

Page No 220:

Question 5:

In the figure shown below, MN is a plane mirror. W, X, Y and Z are four children. Mark
the positions of the reflections of W, X, Y and Z in the mirror. Answer the following
questions.
(a) Which child/children can see their own images in the mirror?
(b) Can child W are see images of X, Y and Z in the mirror?

Answer:

The reflections of W, X, Y and Z are as follows:

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The boy 'Z' will have no reflection, as the incident ray from him is parallel to the plane of
the mirror.

(a) Only X will be able to see his own image.

(b) W can see the reflections of X and Y but not Z, as the incident ray from Z is parallel to
the plane of the mirror.

Page No 220:

Question 6:

Can the image formed by a plane mirror be projected on to a screen?

Answer:

No, the image formed in a plane mirror cannot be projected on a screen, as it is a virtual
image. Only real images can be projected on a screen.

Page No 220:

Question 7:

The image of an object is formed by two plane mirrors. One of the mirrors is double the
size of the other. In which case will the image be bigger? Why?

Answer:

The image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual, erect, behind the mirror and of the
same size as the object. The size of the image is independent of the size of the plane
mirror. Hence, the image in both the mirrors will be of the same size.

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