DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, DURGAPUR

SESSION: 2020-21
ASSIGNMENT - 2
SUB: PHYSICS CLASS: X WEEK: 2ND

TOPIC: REFLECTION OF LIGHT

SUB-TOPIC: (i) Reflection of light at curved surfaces (ii) Terms related to spherical mirrors

Curved Mirrors - A curved mirror is a mirror with a

curved reflective surface, which may be either convex
(bulging outward) or concave (bulging inward). Most
curved mirrors have surfaces that are shaped like part of
a sphere.
A convex mirror, fish eye mirror or diverging mirror is
a curved mirror in which the reflective surface bulges
toward the light source. Convex mirrors reflect light
outwards; therefore they are not used to focus light.
A concave mirror, or converging mirror, has a reflecting surface that bulges inward (away from the incident
light). Concave mirrors reflect light inward to one focal point. They are used to focus light.
Radius of curvature - The radius of curvature of a curved mirror is defined as the radius of the hollow glass
sphere of which the spherical mirror was (previously) a part. Any line drawn from the center of curvature C to
the mirror surface meets it at right angle (90 degree) and equals the radius of curvature.
Pole - The pole is the geometric center of the curved mirror.
Principal axis - The principal axis of a curved mirror is defined as the imaginary line passing through its pole
and center of curvature.
Principal focus - The principal focus is defined as the point on the principal axis where the light rays traveling
parallel to the principal axis after reflection actually meet (for a concave mirror) or appear to
diverge from(for a convex mirror). The principal focus is in front of the
concave mirror and is behind the convex mirror.
Focal length - Focal length is the distance
between the pole and the principal focus of a
curved mirror. Note that the focal length is
half the radius of curvature for spherical
mirrors having small apertures.
Rules of reflection
1. 1. Incident ray parallel to the principal axis after reflection
will pass through the focus of a concave mirror.
2. 2. Incident ray passing through the focus after reflection will be parallel to the principal axis.
3. 3. Incident ray passing through the center of curvature will travel back along the same line after reflection.

Very short Answer type questions:

Q1 Name a mirror that can give an erect and enlarged image of an object.
Ans. Concave mirror.
Q2 Does the mirror equation work for a convex mirror?
Ans. Yes.
Q3 In a concave mirror, if an incident ray passes through F and hits the mirror then it will reflect
(a) Towards C (b) Towards F (c)Parallel (d) away from the mirror
Ans. (c)Parallel
Q4 The point in the middle way between a curved mirror and the center of curvature is the
(a)principle point (b) focal point (c)center of curvature (d)principle axis
Ans. (b) focal point
Q5 The distance between the focal point and the mirror is
(a)radius (b)diameter (c)focal point (d)focal length
Ans. (d)focal length
Short Answer type questions:
Q6 A convex mirror has a focal length of -20 cm. What is the position of the resulting image (in cm) if the
image is upright and four times smaller than the object?
Ans. Given Data focal length of convex mirror, f = -20 cm, magnification of image, m =1/4
Finding the image position (v)
The object position (u) and image position are related to each other by the expression of magnification
as:
m =−v/u , 1/4 =−v/u, u =−4×v
Applying mirror equation:
1/v +1/u =1/f, 1/v +1/(−4×v) =1/−20, v =−15 cm
Image is located 15 cm behind the convex mirror.
Q7 What are the differences between concave and convex mirror?
Ans. Concave mirror Convex mirror
A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is
curved inwards is called a concave mirror. curved outwards is called a convex mirror.
A parallel beam of light falling on this mirror A parallel beam of light falling on this mirror
converges at a point after reflection. appears to diverge from a point after reflection.
It is also called a converging mirror. It is also called a diverging mirror.
It has a real focus. It has a virtual focus.
The magnification of a concave mirror can be The magnification of a convex mirror is always
greater, equal or less than 1. less than 1.
These mirrors are used as reflectors in These mirrors are used as rear-view mirrors in
projectors, light-house headlights, searchlights, cars and motorcycles, as they enable the
etc. driver/rider to view the road and vehicles
behind.
An object is placed 10 cm from a concave mirror. The focal length is 5 cm. Determine (a) The
Q8
image distance (b) the magnification of image.
Ans. Formation of image by concave mirror :
The image distance :
1/v= 1/f – 1/u = 1/5 – 1/10 = 2/10 – 1/10 = 1/10
v = 10/1 = 10 cm. So, The image distance is 10 cm.
The magnification : m = –v / u = -10/10 = -1
1 means that the image is the same as the object. The minus
sign indicates that the image is inverted. If the sign is positive than the image is upright.
Home Assignment:
1. A 5cm high object is placed in front of a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 20 cm. Determine the
image height if the object distance is 5 cm.
2. An image by a concave mirror is 4 times greater than the object. If the radius of curvature 20 cm, determine
the object distance in front of the mirror.
3. Draw a ray diagram to show the path of the reflected ray corresponding to an incident ray which is directed
parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror. Mark on it the angle of incident and the angle of reflection.
4. A 10-cm high object is placed in front of a convex mirror with focal length 20 cm. Determine the image
height if the object distance is (a) 10 cm

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