Living Science Solutions for

Class 8 Science
Chapter 16 - Reflection Of Light
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 cannot 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 cannot be counted.
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 'θ�' is given by
the formula, n=(360°θ)−1�=360°�-1

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

A: CHOOSE THE MOST APPROPRIATE ANSWER

Question 1: 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.
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.

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.
Question 4: 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
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.
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.
B VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
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.
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.
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.
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.
Question 5: 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°.
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.
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
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.
(C) SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION (TYPE I)
Question 1: What is reflection of light?
ANSWER: Reflection of light is the phenomenon in which a ray of light bounces back
after striking a surface.
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.
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.
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:
Question 5: 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.
(D) SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION (TYPE II)
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 It takes place on a rough surface
where the entire beam is reflected where the beams of light are
in only one direction. reflected in different directions.

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.

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.

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
Question 5: 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.
(E) LONG ANSWER QUESTION
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.
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.
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:

Here, i1 = r1 = i2 = r2 = 450
HOTS QUESTIONS
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.
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
Question 3: 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.
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.
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:

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.
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.
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.