Here are the answers to the "Science Set One of Light: Reflection and Refraction" questions.
CBSE Class 10 Science - Chapter: Light – Reflection and Refraction (Till Uses of
Concave Mirrors)
Answers to Set One Questions
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 1 Mark Each
1. The laws of reflection hold good for:
(a) Plane mirror only
(b) Concave mirror only
(c) Convex mirror only
(d) All mirrors irrespective of their shape (The laws of reflection are fundamental and
apply to all reflecting surfaces, whether plane or spherical.)
2. A ray of light traveling parallel to the principal axis of a concave mirror, after reflection,
passes through:
(a) The centre of curvature (C)
(b) The principal focus (F) (This is one of the standard ray rules for concave mirrors.)
(c) The pole (P)
(d) The centre of curvature and the principal focus
3. The image formed by a concave mirror is observed to be virtual, erect, and larger than
the object. The position of the object must be:
(a) At the principal focus
(b) Between the principal focus and the centre of curvature
(c) At the centre of curvature
(d) Between the pole and the principal focus (This is the only case for a concave mirror
where a virtual, erect, and magnified image is formed.)
4. The focal length of a spherical mirror is 10 cm. Its radius of curvature will be:
We know that the radius of curvature (R) is twice the focal length (f), i.e., R = 2f.
R = 2 * 10 cm = 20 cm.
(a) 5 cm
(b) 10 cm
(c) 20 cm
(d) 40 cm
5. Which of the following mirrors is used by dentists to see an enlarged image of a patient's
teeth?
(a) Plane mirror
(b) Convex mirror
(c) Concave mirror (Concave mirrors produce magnified images when the object is
placed between the pole and focus, which is ideal for dentists.)
(d) Cylindrical mirror
II. Short Answer Type-I Questions - 2 Marks Each
6. State the two laws of reflection of light.
The two laws of reflection are:
1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection (∠i=∠r).
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface at the point of
incidence all lie in the same plane.
7. Define the principal focus of a concave mirror. Draw a ray diagram to show the path of
parallel rays of light after reflection from a concave mirror.
Principal Focus (F) of a concave mirror: It is a point on the principal axis of the concave
mirror where all rays of light incident parallel to the principal axis, actually meet after
reflection from the mirror.
Ray Diagram:
(As an AI, I cannot draw diagrams directly. Please imagine or sketch the following:)
○ Draw a concave mirror with its polished side facing left.
○ Draw a straight line passing through the pole (P), focus (F), and centre of curvature
(C) – this is the principal axis. Mark F between P and C.
○ Draw two rays of light incident on the mirror, parallel to the principal axis.
○ After reflection, both rays should converge and pass through the principal focus (F)
on the principal axis.
○ Mark arrows on all rays to indicate their direction.
8. What is spherical aberration in mirrors? How is it usually minimized in practical
applications?
Spherical aberration is an optical phenomenon in spherical mirrors where parallel rays
incident far from the principal axis fail to converge exactly at the principal focus (or
appear to diverge from it), while rays closer to the axis converge at the focus. This results
in a blurred or distorted image, especially for large aperture spherical mirrors.
It is usually minimized in practical applications by:
○ Using mirrors with a small aperture.
○ Using parabolic mirrors instead of spherical mirrors, as parabolic mirrors are
inherently free from spherical aberration (they bring all parallel rays to a single sharp
focus).
9. Why are concave mirrors also known as converging mirrors?
Concave mirrors are known as converging mirrors because when parallel rays of light
(e.g., from a distant object like the sun) strike their reflecting surface, they converge
(meet) at a single point, the principal focus, after reflection. They bring the parallel rays
closer together, hence the term "converging."
III. Short Answer Type-II Questions - 3 Marks Each
10.An object is placed at a distance of 15 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm.
(a) Find the position and nature of the image.
Given:
Object distance, u=−15 cm (using New Cartesian Sign Convention, object is always to the
left)
Focal length of concave mirror, f=−10 cm (focal length of concave mirror is negative)
Using the Mirror Formula: v1+u1=f1
v1+−151=−101
v1−151=−101
v1=151−101
To subtract, find a common denominator (30):
v1=302−303
v1=−301
v=−30 cm
Position of the image: The image is formed at 30 cm in front of the mirror.
Nature of the image: Since v is negative, the image is real. Because real images formed
by mirrors are always inverted, the image is also inverted.
(b) Calculate the magnification.
Magnification, m=−uv
m=−−15 cm−30 cm
m=−2
Magnification: The magnification is -2. The negative sign confirms that the image is
inverted. The value 2 (magnitude) indicates that the image is twice the size of the object
(magnified).
11.State three common uses of concave mirrors, explaining the principle behind each
use.
1. Shaving Mirrors/Make-up Mirrors:
■ Principle: When an object (face) is placed between the pole (P) and the
principal focus (F) of a concave mirror, it forms a virtual, erect, and magnified
image.
■ Use: This allows for a magnified view of the face, making it easier to shave or
apply makeup.
2. Headlights of Cars/Scooters/Torch lights/Searchlights:
■ Principle: When a light source (bulb) is placed at the principal focus (F) of a
concave mirror, the rays of light, after reflection, travel parallel to the principal
axis.
■ Use: This produces a powerful, parallel beam of light, which is useful for
illuminating the road far ahead or for searching objects at a distance.
3. Dentists' Mirrors:
■ Principle: Similar to shaving mirrors, when a tooth (object) is placed within the
focal length of the concave mirror, it forms an enlarged, erect, and virtual image.
■ Use: This allows dentists to see a magnified view of the inner parts of the teeth
for examination. (Another common use: Solar Furnaces/Solar Cookers:
■ Principle: Parallel rays of sunlight incident on the concave mirror converge at its
focus.
■ Use: This concentrates a large amount of solar energy at the focus, producing
high temperatures for cooking or heating.)
12.Draw ray diagrams to show the formation of images by a concave mirror when an object
is placed:
(a) Between the pole (P) and principal focus (F)
(Diagram should show:)
○ Concave mirror, principal axis, P, F, C labeled.
○ Object (arrow) placed between P and F.
○ Ray 1: Parallel to principal axis, reflects through F.
○ Ray 2: Passing through C, reflects back along the same path.
○ The reflected rays diverge. Extend them backwards (dotted lines).
○ They appear to meet behind the mirror, forming a virtual, erect, and magnified image.
(b) At the centre of curvature (C)(Diagram should show:)
○ Concave mirror, principal axis, P, F, C labeled.
○ Object (arrow) placed at C.
○ Ray 1: Parallel to principal axis, reflects through F.
○ Ray 2: Passing through F, reflects parallel to the principal axis.
○ The reflected rays meet at C, forming a real, inverted, and same-sized image.
IV. Long Answer Type Questions - 5 Marks Each
13.List the rules for drawing ray diagrams for image formation by a concave mirror. Draw ray
diagrams to show the formation of image when an object is placed:
(a) Beyond the centre of curvature (C)
(b) At infinity
Rules for Drawing Ray Diagrams for Concave Mirrors:
1. Rule 1: A ray of light parallel to the principal axis, after reflection from a concave
mirror, passes through its principal focus (F).
2. Rule 2: A ray of light passing through the principal focus (F) of a concave mirror,
after reflection, will emerge parallel to the principal axis.
3. Rule 3: A ray of light passing through the centre of curvature (C) of a concave mirror,
after reflection, is reflected back along the same path.
4. Rule 4: A ray of light incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards the pole (P) of a
concave mirror, is reflected obliquely, making the same angle with the principal axis.
Ray Diagrams:(a) Object placed Beyond the Centre of Curvature (C)(Diagram should
show:)
○ Concave mirror, principal axis, P, F, C labeled.
○ Object (arrow) placed beyond C.
○ Ray 1: Parallel to principal axis, reflects through F.
○ Ray 2: Passing through F, reflects parallel to the principal axis.
○ The reflected rays meet between F and C, forming an image that is real, inverted,
and diminished.
(b) Object placed At Infinity(Diagram should show:)
○ Concave mirror, principal axis, P, F, C labeled.
○ Parallel rays of light (from a distant object) incident on the mirror.
○ These parallel rays, after reflection, converge at the principal focus (F).
○ An image is formed at F, which is real, inverted, and highly diminished
(point-sized).
14.(a) Define the terms 'pole', 'centre of curvature', 'radius of curvature', and 'principal
axis' for a spherical mirror.
○ Pole (P): The centre of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror. It lies on the
surface of the mirror.
○ Centre of Curvature (C): The centre of the hollow sphere of which the spherical
mirror is a part.
○ Radius of Curvature (R): The radius of the hollow sphere of which the spherical
mirror is a part. It is the distance between the pole (P) and the centre of curvature
(C) of the mirror.
○ Principal Axis: The straight line passing through the pole (P) and the centre of
curvature (C) of the spherical mirror.
(b) Derive the relationship between the radius of curvature (R) and focal length (f) for a
spherical mirror.(Derivation for concave mirror, typically assumed. Convex mirror derivation is
similar.)Consider a ray of light AB parallel to the principal axis, incident on a concave mirror at
point B. Let C be the centre of curvature and F be the principal focus.Draw a normal BC to the
mirror at point B. According to the law of reflection, ∠ABC=∠CBF.Since AB is parallel to PC,
∠ABC=∠BCP (alternate interior angles).Therefore, ∠CBF=∠BCP.In triangle BCF, if B is very
close to P (i.e., for mirrors with small apertures), then triangle BFC is approximately an
isosceles triangle with BF=FC.Also, for small apertures, point B is very close to P, so
BF≈PF.Thus, PF=FC.We know that PC=PF+FC.Substituting PF=FC, we get PC=PF+PF=2PF.Since
PC=R (radius of curvature) and PF=f (focal length),We get R=2f or f=R/2.This relationship
states that the principal focus of a spherical mirror lies midway between the pole and the
centre of curvature.(c) An object 4 cm high is placed at a distance of 25 cm in front of a
concave mirror of focal length 15 cm. Find the position, nature, and size of the
image.Given:Object height, h=+4 cm (always positive)Object distance, u=−25 cmFocal length
of concave mirror, f=−15 cmTo find position (v):Using Mirror Formula:
v1+u1=f1v1+−251=−151v1=251−151Common denominator is 75:v1=753−755v1=−752v=−275=−37.5
cmPosition of the image: The image is formed at 37.5 cm in front of the mirror.To find
nature:Since v is negative, the image is real. Real images are always inverted.To find size
(h′):Using Magnification Formula: m=hh′=−uv4 cmh′=−−25 cm−37.5
cm4h′=−2537.54h′=−1.5h′=−1.5×4h′=−6 cmSize of the image: The image is 6 cm high. The
negative sign indicates that the image is inverted.Summary: The image is formed at 37.5 cm in
front of the mirror, it is real, inverted, and magnified (6 cm high).
V. Assertion and Reason Based Questions (1 Mark Each)
15.Assertion (A): A concave mirror is used as a shaving mirror.
Reason (R): When the face is held close to a concave mirror, it forms a virtual, erect, and
magnified image.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. (The reason
correctly explains why a concave mirror is suitable for shaving.)
16.Assertion (A): The image formed by a concave mirror is always real and inverted.
Reason (R): Concave mirrors are converging mirrors.
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true. (Assertion is false because a concave mirror can form
a virtual and erect image when the object is between P and F. The reason is true,
concave mirrors do converge light rays.)
VI. Case Study Based Question (Typically 4 marks, with 4 sub-parts)
17.A student is learning about spherical mirrors and their applications. He performs
an activity with a concave mirror. He places a brightly lit object at different
positions in front of the mirror and observes the nature, position, and size of the
image formed on a screen. He notices that for a certain object position, the image
formed is real, inverted, and of the same size as the object.
(i) At what position did the student place the object to get the image mentioned in the
scenario? (1)
The object was placed at the centre of curvature (C).
(ii) If the focal length of the concave mirror is 12 cm, what is the distance of the object
from the mirror in this specific case? (1)
If f=12 cm, then the radius of curvature R=2f=2×12=24 cm.
Since the object is at C, its distance from the mirror is equal to the radius of curvature.
So, object distance u=−24 cm (distance is 24 cm).
(iii) When would the student obtain a highly enlarged, real, and inverted image? (1)
The image would be highly enlarged, real, and inverted when the object is placed at the
principal focus (F).
(iv) Suggest one practical application of a concave mirror where a real and highly
enlarged image is desired. (1)
* Reflecting telescopes (for forming highly magnified images of distant celestial objects)
* Projection systems (though often lenses are used, the principle of a real, enlarged
image is similar)
* Solar furnaces (though the image is point-sized, it's a real focus of light for high
temperature).
(More commonly associated with real and magnified images rather than "highly
enlarged" for general applications, but specific designs can achieve it.)
