CHAPTER

Light
[Learning objectives
15.1 Concept of reflection 15.2 Types of reflection
15.3 Image tormation by reflection
15.5 DispersIon of light 15.4 Multiple reflections
15.6 Human eye and its defects
During night, in case we face a power-cut, B

the room becomes invisible to us even everything Angle of reflection :

though our
aves are open. Light helps us to see things around
This is the angle Sreflected ray
us. which reflected light
0 angle of reflection
15.1 CONCEPT OF REFLECTION makes with the
normal to the point
The condition required to be fulilled to observe an of incidence of light
obiect is that the light must reach our eyes after
and bouncing back from the object. If the objectstriking
on the surface.
is self ZNOB is angle of
illuminating, the light emitted by it will reach our eyes reflection in the given figure.
directly provided nothìng comes between our eves and At the time of reflection, ray of light follows certain
the object. laws which are called laws of reflection.
For objects which are not self-illuminating. light These are as follows :
coming from other sources first falls on the obiect
which changes its direction. Later this light is Angle of incidence is always equal to the angle
by our eyes and we are able to observe the
received of reflection.
object. This
phenomenon in which the direction of light changes Incident ray, normal at the point of incidence and
after striking an object is known as reflection. reflected ray all lie in the same plane.
Retlecting surfaces vary in their capacity to reflect
light. For example mirrors (glass silvered on the back 15.2 TYPES OF REFLECTION
surface) are good reflectors. A surface polished with Manly, there are two types of reflections.
black colour is bad retlector because it does not reflect () Regular reflection (ii) Irregular
ight at all. That is the reason why it
appears black (due reflection.
odarkness or absence of Regular Reflection : If light rays which are
light). to each other are parallel
ome of the important terms related to reflected by a plane surface, and
ight are as follows : reflection of all the rays after reflection are
then such type of reflection parallel
to each other,
Angle of incidence : This is the angle is known as regular
which
incoming light (also called incident ray) makes reflection. Here all the rays travel in the
same
with normal, which is a direction, so intensity of reflected light is very high.
of incidence of light on perpendicular to the point may produce glare in our
eyes.
It t
the
figure, angle ZAON is angle ofsurface. In the given
incidence. Irregular Reflection : If
ej

reflected by an
parallel light rays are
A
N irregular
are not parallel to each surface, the rays reflected t

Incident Normal tothe point of incidence other. They go in different

ray directions. Then such type of reflection
Angle of incidence
irregular reflection. Here the intensity isofknown as
light is much less. reflected S

Class-8|Science 167
 not parallel. Ihey ycollectively make
It is to be noted herc that in
to observe things due to
rays becausethey do not
in
mosl cases,
a ifused lighu
We are
produceir egulglarearly le

chair, b0xesO0rrel eteeyes

(a) Regular reflection We observe books, pen, table,
(b) Irregular reflection to irregularly reflected light. If we
In both lypes directly on our eyes after \et the elc due
of light are
of
reflection, the laws of reflection mirror can not observe
we
reflection
any from laightplafalne
ofretlection,
followed. Here, we
all regular
see, in The plane mirror reflects light thing due
to
reflected
irregular reflection, lights are parallel but case in of regular reflection and thus through ihe glare
eyes because reflected lights areproduces
high glare proincest,he
all
reflected ray of light a of

SELF TEST -1| intensity.

Ifa ray oflight falls on a
to it, what will be the angle plane surface perpendicular 3. Aray of light falls on a surface,
(A) 90° of
reflection? 30° with the horizontal. What will be makinggan
(C) 45° (B) 0° the angle angle of
2.
Statement I : Laws of
(D) None of the above
incident ray and reflected ray?
(A) 60° (B) 80o betwe n
reflection. reflection is obeyed in
regular
(C) 100º (D) 120o
4. If we change the angle of incidence by an
Statement II : Laws of reflection is obeyed in 20°, how much will the angle of
angle
reflection. irregular (A) 20° (B) 40 reflection change?
Which of the following (C) 10° (D) None
above is true? alternatives about the statements 5 Glare of light is a characteristics of
(A)
(B) Statement II is correct.
I is (A) Regular reflection
Statement
(C) Both the correct. (B) Irregular reflection
(D) None is statements are correct. (C) Both (A) and (B)
correct. (D) None of the above

15.3 IMAGE FORMATION BY

When we stand infront of a mirror, REFLECTION
These two rays are
incident rays. The
what we see in the reflected rays are AA' and BB'. They enter our
mirroris our image. Thisimage isformed due toreflection where image is formed on retina and we eyes
corresponding
of light by the mirror. The image that we see the
see in the mirror image of O.
and the image that we get in the form of
photograph are When we hold an object,
different. The later type of image is formed
rays are focussed on a screen or a paper but when light for example an iron nail
Viimage
rtual
the former in front of a
type of image is formed not by focussing light rays then we are plane mirror,
able to see
on a screen but by diverging beam of light falling
on its image on the mirror. Aplane mirror forms avirtual
our eyes. The former type of image is known as virtual
image and the later type of image is called real image. This is because, the light and erect images.
Let us see how virtual image is formed by a plane mirror. falling from the nail on
the mirror is reflected.
MN is a plane mirror and O is a A: M
point object which is placed at a This reflected rays enter our eyes and we see the
distance of d from the plane mirror. image of the nail. Here the rays seems to come trom
Rays of light are coming out from a point behind the mirror, as we see the nail there.
point O in all directions but we have But if we place a screen at this point, we will not gt
the image on Screen. Thus a plane mirror forms a
shown only two rays OA and OB in R'
N

the given figure. virtual and erect image.

168 mtG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE

 of light,
if we
move the nail away from the mirror, then mirrors. In multiple reflection, the ray
falls on the other
Now
imageof fthe nail.also moves away from the mirror. afler reflcction from one mirror,
this way a single
the can, concluded that the
be distance of the image mirror, and gets reflected again. In
Thus,it after getting reflected
ithe
objectfrom a planc mirror are equal. Iight ray forms many images The mirrors are all
mirrors.
size ofthe image formed by aplane mirror is several times from the beautiful
Alsothe
tothesize of the object. Aplane mirror forms placed symmetrically, therefore, they make
eyual
laterally inverted image. By saying that the image pattern. that for the
a
Jlane mirror is laterally inverted, we mean that From the foregoing discussion, it is clear
more than
take place, we need
image in a plane mirror is sideways reversed with multiple reflection to place them at
respecttothe.object in the left.side ofthe object appears one mirror. It we take two mirrors,
the
we get a
the rightside of the image. an angle 0 and place an object before them, can
obe number of images formed
number of images. The
12
following formula
be calculated from the
Number of images, n = 360"- 1
images overlap)
(If 360° is even then, two
2:50 9:10 360° (if360° is odd)
The real clock Mirror reflection
If 0 = 90°, number of images
360_
90°
1=3
Lateral Inversion

If 0= 60, number of images

360_-
60°
1=5
15.4 MULTIPLE REFLECTIONS
We all are familiar with a device kaleidoscope.
Kaleidoscope is a device which can be used to view
different patterns and designs with the help of
reflection of light.
A Kaleidoscope can be constructed using three
rectangular mirror strip stacked together at 60 with
reflectingsurface upwards. Wrap this three piece
system with the help of a chart paper. Close its one end
with chart paper with a small hole in its centre. The
other end must be closed with the help of plane glass Three images are formed by two
plate, triangular in shape. Now place some small pieces mirrors placed at right angles to each other.
of coloured glass bangles inside and then close both
the ends. The kaleidoscope is ready.
When we peep through the hole and rotate the
Kaleidoscope simultaneously, we see diferent patterns
of images of small bangle pieces.
Plastic
pouch
Mirrors
Multiple images formed by parallel
Beads mirrors facing each other
Pattern seen by Kaleidoscope
If O= 0°, number of images 360° - 1= infinity.
As we rotate it, the pattern changes. Designers
of fabrics use this instrument to get ideas of new So if we place an object in between two parallel
patterns. mirrors, number of images formed will be infinite,
The pattern of images formed in kaleidoscope is due though all the images are not of the same brightness.
to multiple reflection of light by the three inclined As order of image increases, brightness decreases.
Class-8| Science 169
 When we nse a thiek miror (single) And placc an
obicct
by inftont of it, sl many images Are formed (wo plane mirrors inclincd at
Ihis helps to vicw objects which arewith
45°
thhe
multiple al
second ofinreleton Periscopesorder t0 wsveerdlical
the height from the horizon. a parlicular
and refraction In this case,
age is the brightest as s it is nade by subnarines, tanks and bunkers in are
reflection
is
fornmed ight from silvered layer
by The hrst image happening outsides without being noticed sce in
by hing
releions whosrupper laver of thick
intcnsity is low
glass through Light rays the
enemy
lhtk Plane
Object to be seen

-O(Objec)

The
Multiple reflection by thick mirror
concept of multiple reflection is used in Plane
Viewing objects that mirror
tor example is a simpleare beyond our field
of view
gof aObserver
Diagram to show the working
periscope. In periscope, uses periscope

SELF TEST -2
If two plane mirrors are inclined at ray from second mirror?
30°,
mages of an object can they form by multiple how many
reflections? (A)30" (B) 45°
(A) 10 (B) 11 (C) 60° (D) 75°
(C) 12 (D) 13 4. When we place an object
between two
mirrors, how many images are formed by them?parallel:
i2. In athick plane mirror, which image is the
(A) First image brightest
(B), Second image (A) No image (B) one image
(C) Third image (D) Last image (C) two images (D) infinite images
3. Two mirrors are placed at 5. Which of the following instruments is based on the
90°. A ray of light is incident on theory of multiple reflections?
first mirror as shown. Find the (B) Kaleidoscope
(A) Microscope
,angle of reflection of the reflected II (C) Periscope (D) (B) and (C).
15.5 DISPERSION OF LIGHT
Dispersion of light : As we all know, sun rays Olympiad Bite
consists of seven colours. They mix up to form A"moonbow"' is a rare luner rainbow or nighttime rainbow
white light. So long as their velocities (velocity of produced by moonlight rather than direct sunlight.
rays of different colours) are equal, they remain
mixed up. In case these velocities assume different The order of difterent colour in rainbow can be
values, they all get separated from each other. memorised by the word, "VIBGYOR"
In free space or in air, the velocities of ray of light of
(V stands for violet, I for Indigo, Bfor Blue, Gfor
different colours contained in sun rays are equal but
when they pass through a prism or any other medium,
green, Yfor yellow, O for orange, and Rfor red)
their velocities assume different values. As a result of The band of colours produced when white light split
it, they all are separated from each other. Splitting of up is called the spectrum.The reason for dispersion is
that a transparent medium like a glass prism bends or
white light into different colour, as in case of rainbow
deviate different colours of light by different amounts.
is called dispersionof light.
170 mtG Olympiad PREP-GUIDE
 Thus no vision is
deviaton is maximum tor violet colour and and rctina, there arc noscnsory cells.
blind spot.
I inimum red colours. possible at this spot. This spot is known asspot, we can
this
In case image of any object falls on
spot ncar the centre of
not view that object. Yellow
specialized far seeing
the retina of the human eye. It is
Red
things with highest clearness.
Crystalline lens
White light
Whitelight Spectrum Cornea
-Retina
Glass prism Violet Iris

Pupil Yellow spot

Dispersion of white light by the glass prism
Blind spot
Ciliary
15.6 HUMAN EYE AND ITS DEFECTS muscles -Opticnerve
Aore are five sense organs in our body which help Human Eye
sto respond to changes around us after receiving
various types of stimuli. The visual stimulus is most OlympiadBite
mportant anddto receive that, we have been gifted with
from the flash
beautiful eyes. Let us discuss how we see objects "Red eye" occurs in photos because light
of camera bounches off the back of
the eye. The choroid
around us through our eyes. in blood vessels,
Eves are located inside the spherical socket in our facial is located behind the retina and is rich
anes which are part of our skull. Eyes are spherical in which make it appear red on film.
our eye is that the
ane. The outer layer is white which is transparent in A very peculiar feature of brain, for about
be frontal part. This frontal part is called cornea. Just impression of an image lasts in our
hehind cornea lies a dark, circular muscular structure 16
th of asecond. During this period we continue to see
alled iris which has a small opening at the centre, observing other
the same image even though we start
alled pupil. Through pupil, light enters the eye. Pupil objects. This characteristics of eye is called persistence
regulates and controls the amount of light entering of vision. In motion pictures and movies, this property
the eye. It contract in the presence of excess light and of vision is used.
espands in low light. Iris controls the size of the pupil. The nunil of our eve takes some time to contract or
crystalline convex lens is situated behind the pupil
A dilate. That is why, when we enter a dark room or hall
which helps to focus the image of the object properly. sudden, we are
on a sunny day from outside, all of a
The crystalline lens is kept in its position with the unable to see anything. After some time, when pupil
help of ciliary muscles. Ciliary muscles help the lens dilates, light inside the hall starts entering our dilated
to change its focal length. Power to change the focal pupil and we start observing things inside.
length of crystalline lens of eyes is called power of Defects of Eyes : Earlier, we have discussed about
accommodation. This helps the eye to focus the image power of accommodation and this power enables
of objects situated at both short and long distances on our eye to distinctly view distant as well as nearby
aphoto-sensitive innermost layer of it, called retina. objects with equal comfort. This power has a
The minimum distance at which the
Retina is a thin membrane rich in nerve fibres,
limitation.
eye can see objects distinctly without stress varies
containing two kinds of sensory cells (rods and cones) of
bright with age. This distance is called least distance
and blood vessels. The cone cells are sensitive to distinct vision. For normal person this distance is
light while rods are sensitive to dim light. Cone cells 25 cm. For distant object, this distance of distinct
sense colour. vision, which is also called far point, is ininity.
owls
In the eyes of nocturnal birds and animals like But due to defect in eye, some people are unable to
and bats, rodcells are larger in number. Thus they are see object situated at 25 cm. In other words, for them,
having a better night vision. In animals like dog, cow, least distance of distinct vision exceeds 25 cm. You
lion, man etc. cones are larger in numbers. must have seen some grown-up people reading books
From retina, the stimuliof image are sent to the brain
or newspapers by keeping them at more-than-normal
by various nerves made of nerve cells. These nerves distance. This defect is called long sightedness or
are called optic nerves. At the junction of optic nerve hypermetropia.
Class-8| Science 171
 should indde vitamnin
One vitaminA.
an see
objcts deticienyofthis causes nlght
hnds it very liflicult
(ontray to i, here are People whethey
placed at 25 cm with (0mfort but
objects placed at longet distanes learly
cannol sce
n other
infinily lhis
words, the tar pent o them is no onge genealion
in which people
foundin
low Intensity
thngs in foodstul%

curd, butter
nilk,
ctc
light
like carrot, cod Hl\nd eY
liver oil,
dete IN generallh founl among OUnge VisuallyChallenged Persons
lhis is alldshot sightedness o Myopla. (s can be personsare those who
I s to be note htc that both thee defeoreted by VisuallychallengcdIt may be due to whol
Corre ted lhe h penctioia n be impairment.
wearing Jtales made of Onvex lens
of suitable visual
due to damage
of eye
loal length and myopa can be outed by wearins
length.
petales made of onavclons ofsuitable focal cloudy congenital.
damaged or
like retina,
oplic nerves
ctc,
Sometimes yry
INith aging. the Iransparent cye lens becomesi.e. his/ vital of the five seDSe
the most
and a peIson Is unable to sec objects clearly,
detect is known as cataracl.
Loss of
verytough
and.challenging lor avisually oryans make
het \ion turns hazy This
(ataract can be corrected by surgical methods. During
life
person. But he
disposal which
has rest of
he can use
the four
sense
or
to tide over the g\mp
ansairaled hi

ldentifying chal eny

new
Surgcrv, the cloudy opaue lens is removed and a of life. Out of them, the organ of touch and the
artihial lens is unserted there.
very helpful.
of hearingandarelistening to voices more carelully h
olympiadBite
touching
him understand his surrounding. Learning aids
things
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that auses dependent upon sense
Braille system are of
blurred vision. It occurs when cornea is irreqularly shaped Therefore it is also called
tactual ajd. louch
Or sometimes because of the cuvature of the lens inside This system provides Braille codes for letters a
the eye. This can be corrected by cylindrical lens. of the world,
differentimportant languages for
laking care of eye: Eve isa vital and delicate organ. so
We must take precautionarv measures to protect it and
mathematical and scientific notations.
different patterns which, when
These vario,
codes are
keep it healthy. Following are the steps recommended.
One
on a plain sheet, help visually challenged embossed
intheform of
persons t
Regular check up of eye is recommended. recognise them by touching.
should always use spectacles of suitable power, 1f raised
prescribed. The dot patterns are
be
One should not expose one's eyes either to slightly so that they can
insufhcient or excessive light. Both are harmful for identified easily by touching.
retina. Direct consist of
Our eves. Laser torch can injure the The patterns which vertical
sun light too can harm retina. dots are made by two Using the Braille
lines and three horizontal
rows. system tor reading
One should always wash his/her eyes frequently
with clean water. Braille texts can be produced by hand or by machinA
should
One shouldnever rub his/her eves. He/she There are typewriter like devices and printing machine
wash his/her eyes with clean water if dust particles
which can directly print letters in the form of Braile
enters the eye. codes. Apart from tactual aids, there are many auditory
While reading, reading materials should be always aids also.
placed at least distance of distinct vision.
SELF TEST - 3
(A) Ability tosee nearby objects clearly weakens
1. Eye lens is supported by (B) Ability to see far off objects clearly weakens.
(A) Lens muscles (R/ Ciliary muscle (C) Afflicts mostly lower age-groups.
i(C) Eye muscle (D) Iris (D) (A) and (C) are correct
animal is 4. Which vitamin helps keep our eyes healthy'
i2. The number of cones in nocturnal
( Vitamin A (B) Vitamin B
'CA More than number of rods (D) Vitamin D
i(B) Less than number of rods (C) Vitamin C
(C) Equal to number of rods them 5. Braille system is a
(D) There is number rods in (A) Auditory Aids (B) Visual Aids
(eY Tactual Aids (D) Electronic Aid
3. What is Myopia

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