Class 8 science light extra questions

Q1. What is a blind spot?

Answer1. There are no sensory cells at the optic nerve and the retina
intersection. Hence, vision is not possible there. This is known as the blind
spot.

Q2. Why we are not able to see any object in the dark?

Answer: We can see any object when light reflected by that object reaches
our eyes, but in a dark room, no light is reflected by the object thus we are
not able to see in the dark.

Q3. Explain the two laws of reflection.

Answer: There are two laws of reflection: the angle of incidence is equal to
the angle of reflection and incident rays, reflected rays, and normal rays
drawn at the point of incidence to the reflecting surface lie in the same
plane.

Q4. What do you mean by lateral inversion?

Answer: Lateral inversion is the reversal experienced by the image formed

in a flat mirror. Although the image is the correct way up, its left and right
sides are transposed.

Q5. Differentiate between regular and irregular reflection. Does irregular

reflection mean the failure of the laws of reflection?

Answer:

Regular reflection Diffused reflection

 (i) It takes place on a (i) It takes place on a
smooth or regular rough surface
surface (ii) Here all reflected
(ii) Here all reflected rays are not parallel to
rays are parallel to each other
each other (iii)Reflected rays are
(iii) Reflected rays go scattered in different
in one direction. directions.

In diffused reflection each ray obeys the law of reflection, thus there is no
failure of the law of reflection.

Q6. What is the reflection of light? State the laws of reflection.

Answer: Reflection is a phenomenon in which a beam of light falls on some

surface and returns back in different directions. It may be regular or
irregular.
Following are the laws of reflection:

a way that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, i.e. ∠i =
(i) When a ray of light falls on a reflecting surface it is reflected back in such

∠r.
(ii) The incident ray, the normal, and the reflected ray, all lie in the same
plane.
 Q7.Define light. Discuss its importance.

Answer: Light is an electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human

eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has a wavelength
in the range of about 380 nanometers to about 740 nm between the
invisible infrared.

Q8. Why are we not able to see any object in the dark?

Answer: We can see any object when light reflected by that object reaches
our eyes, but in a dark room, no light is reflected by the object thus we are
not able to see in the dark.

Q9. Why the image formed by a concave mirror is sometimes real, while
sometimes virtual?

Answer: In the case of a concave mirror the image depends upon the
distance of the object from the mirror. If the object is beyond the focus then
a real image is formed and if the object is closer than the focus then a
virtual image is formed

Q10. Why are convex mirrors used in vehicles?

Answer: Convex mirrors are used in vehicles because the image formed by
convex mirrors is always erect and smaller in size.
Q11.Define regular reflection.
Answer:
 The reflected rays are parallel to one another like the incident rays. This
kind of reflection is called regular reflection. It takes place from a surface
which is a plane with no defects.

Q11. Define irregular or diffused reflection. How is it caused?

Answer:
When all the reflected rays from a plane surface are not parallel like the
incident rays, the reflection is known as irregular or diffused reflection.

Q12.Is diffused reflection due to the failure of the laws of reflection? How is
it caused?
Answer: No, the diffused reflection is not due to the failure of the laws of
reflection. It is caused by irregularities in the reflecting surface.

Q13.Do we see objects due to reflected light?

Answer:
Yes, everything except the luminous object, we see around is seen due to
reflected light. The moon, for example, receives light from the sun and
reflects it. That is why we see the moon.

Question 14. What is meant by luminous and illuminated objects?

Answer:
The objects which have their own light, are called luminous objects, such as
the sun, fire, flame of candles, electric lamps, etc. The objects that reflect
the light of other objects are known as illuminated objects, such as the
moon.

Q 15 Describe the structure of the eye.

Answer:
The eyes are one of the most important sense organs of human beings. Each
eye has a roughly spherical shape. The outer tough coat of the eye is white
which protects the interior of the eye from any damage. Its transparent
front part is called the cornea.
 Behind the cornea, there is a small opening called the pupil. The size of the
pupil is controlled by the iris which is the colored part of the eye. This iris
acts as a shutter or a diaphragm to control the amount of light entering into
the eye. Behind the pupil is a lens that focuses light at the retina; placed at
the back of the eye.

Q16. Write the characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror.

Answer: Characteristics of the image formed by plane mirror:
(a) The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual (imaginary) and erect.
(b) The image is laterally inverted. (The left side of the object appears on the
right side of the image.)
(c) The size of the image is equal to that of the object.
(d) The image formed is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of
it.

Question 17. What is ‘normal’ in the reflection of light from a plane mirror?

Answer: A line drawn making an angle of 90º to the line representing the
mirror at the point where the incident ray strikes the mirror is known as the
normal to the reflecting surface at that point.

Question 18: What is cataract? How can the vision of a person having a
cataract be restored?
 Answer: Sometimes, particularly in old age, eyesight becomes
foggy. It is due to the eye lens becoming cloudy. When it happens,
persons are said to have cataracts. There is a loss of vision,
sometimes extremely severe. It is possible to treat this defect. The
opaque lens is removed and a new artificial lens is inserted. Modern
technology has made this procedure simpler and safer.
Question 19: Suppose you are in a dark room. Can you see objects
in the room? Can you see objects outside the room? Explain.
Answer: If we are in a dark room, then it is not possible for us to
see the objects in the room. However, objects outside the room are
visible to us. This is so because eyes alone cannot see any object. It
is only when light from an object enters our eyes that we see the
object. The light may have been emitted by the object or may have
been reflected by it.
Question 20: What are the functions of the following parts of the
eye?
Iris, Eye-lens, Retina, and Optic nerve
Answer:
Iris – Iris controls the size of the pupil. The iris is part of that eye
that gives it its distinctive colour.
Eye-lens – The lens focuses light on the back of the eye, on a layer
called retina.
Retina – The retina receives the light focused by the lens. The retina
contains several nerve cells. Sensations felt by the nerve cells are
then transmitted to the brain.
Optic nerve – The job of the optic nerve is to transfer visual
information from the retina to the brain.
Q 21: What is hypermyopia? How it can be corrected?
Answer: Hypermetropia means long sight and is where the image of
a nearby object is formed behind the retina. This could be because
the eye is too short, or the cornea or crystalline lens does not
refract the light enough. A hypermetropic person may have blurred
vision when looking at objects close to them, and clearer vision
when looking at objects in the distance. By placing a convex (plus
powered) lens in front of a hypermetropic eye, the image is moved
forward and focuses correctly on the retina.
Q22: Mention whether diffused or regular reflection will take place
when :
A beam of light strikes a mirror
A beam of light strikes a cardboard surface.
A beam of light strikes a piece of paper. To the incident ray
 answer:
Regular reflection because the mirror has a smooth surface
Diffused reflection because cardboard has an irregular surface.
Diffused reflection, because a piece of paper appears smooth but it
has a lot of minor irregularities.