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Chapter 9: Light – Reflection and Refraction

Science · CBSE Class 10 · NCERT Solutions

📖 Chapter 9 — Light: Reflection and Refraction (CBSE Class 10 Science): Detailed notes — mirrors, lenses, formulas, sign convention, refractive index, power.

Chapter 9 — Light: Reflection and Refraction

🪞 1. Reflection & Spherical Mirrors

Laws of reflection: ① angle of incidence = angle of reflection ; ② incident ray, reflected ray and normal lie in the same plane.

Concave (converging) & Convex (diverging) mirrors. Terms: Pole (P), Centre of curvature (C), Radius (R), Principal focus (F), Focal length (f). f = R/2.

📐 2. Mirror Formula & Magnification

Mirror formula: 1/v + 1/u = 1/f
Magnification: m = −v/u = h′/h

Sign convention (New Cartesian): distances measured from pole; along incident light = +, opposite = − ; heights above axis = +, below = −. Concave mirror f is −, convex mirror f is +.

💡 3. Image by Concave Mirror (positions)

Object beyond C → real, inverted, small (between F&C). At C → real, inverted, same size. Between F&C → real, inverted, large. At F → image at infinity. Between P&F → virtual, erect, magnified (used as shaving/make-up mirror). Uses: headlights, torches, solar furnace. Convex mirror always gives virtual, erect, diminished image → rear-view mirrors (wide view).

🌈 4. Refraction of Light

Refraction = bending of light when it passes from one medium to another (due to change in speed). Entering a denser medium → bends towards the normal; rarer → away.
Refractive index: n = c/v = sin i / sin r (c = speed in vacuum, v = in medium)

🔍 5. Spherical Lenses

Convex (converging) & Concave (diverging) lenses.

Lens formula: 1/v − 1/u = 1/f
Magnification: m = v/u = h′/h
Power: P = 1/f (metre), unit = dioptre (D)

Convex lens f is + (power +); concave lens f is − (power −). Convex lens used as a magnifying glass.

🧠 Remember: f=R/2. Mirror: 1/v+1/u=1/f, m=−v/u. Lens: 1/v−1/u=1/f, m=v/u. Concave mirror f−, convex mirror f+. P=1/f (D). Convex lens f+, concave lens f−.
⭐ Exam Tips: ① Mirror & lens formulas + sign convention. ② Image positions (concave mirror table). ③ Uses of mirrors (headlight, rear-view, solar furnace). ④ Refractive index n=c/v. ⑤ Power P=1/f (numericals!).
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