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CBSE Notes
Class 10
Science
Chapter 9 Light Reflection and Refraction

CBSE Notes Class 10 Science Chapter 9 - Light: Reflection and Refraction

Light is integral to our everyday experiences, influencing both how we perceive our surroundings and the technology we depend on. Two key phenomena that describe how light interacts with different surfaces and materials are reflection and refraction. These phenomena are fundamental to understanding various optical effects and form the basis of optics. 

1.0Download CBSE Notes for Class 10 Science Chapter 9: Light:Reflection and Refraction - Free PDF!!

Hey there! Ready to dive into the fascinating world of light? These free CBSE Class 10 Science notes for Chapter 9 will guide you through the concepts of reflection and refraction, making learning a breeze.

Class 10 Science Chapter 9 Revision Notes Light Reflection :

Class 10 Science Chapter 9 Revision Notes Light Refraction :

2.0Reflection Of Light

Reflection is the process where light rays encounter the boundary between two different media and bounce back into the original medium. Specifically, it refers to the phenomenon where light rays that strike the surface of an object are returned into the same medium rather than passing through or being absorbed.

3.0Laws of Reflection

  1. The path of the incoming ray, the path of the reflected ray, and the perpendicular line (normal) to the surface at the point of incidence are all situated in the same plane.
  2. The angle at which the incoming light ray impacts a surface (the angle of incidence) is equal to the angle at which it bounces off (the angle of reflection) ∠i=∠r

Image showing the laws of reflection

4.0Some basic Terms Related To Spherical Mirrors

Some basic Terms related to Spherical Mirrors

5.0Sign Conventions For Spherical Mirrors

 Image showing the sign conventions for spherical MIrrors

6.0Image Formation By Convex And Concave Mirror

Convex Mirror

Image Formation of image by Convex Mirror

Concave Mirror

Image Formation by Concave Mirror

Uses of Concave and Convex Mirror

  1. Concave Mirror-Reflectors in the headlights, search light in torches
  2. Convex Mirror-Rear View in an Automobile.

7.0Mirror Formula

The relationship between the object distance(u), the image distance(v) and the focal length(f) is given by Mirror Formula.

v1​+u1​=f1​

8.0Magnification

  • The ratio of height image (h2​) to the height of object (h1​) is called magnification or linear magnification. m=h1​h2​​
  • Magnification is also related to object distance and image distance. m=h1​h2​​=−uv​
  • Magnification also expressed as m=f−uf​=ff−v​

9.0Refraction Of Light

The phenomenon of change in path of light when it passes from one medium to another is called Refraction.

Image showing the refraction of Light

Cause of Refraction

The bending of light takes place when it passes from one medium to another because speed of light changes from one medium to another.Speed of light is different in different media.

Laws of Refraction

  1. The incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal at the point of incidence are all contained within a single plane.
  2. Sin rSin i​=Constant(μ)

Refraction From Rarer to Denser Medium and Denser to Rarer Medium Ray Diagram

Refraction From Rarer to Denser Medium and Denser to Rarer Medium Ray Diagram

Refraction Through A Rectangular Glass Slab

When light passes through a rectangular glass slab, it undergoes refraction at both the entry and exit faces:

  1. Entry Refraction: As light enters the glass from air, it bends towards the normal due to the slower speed of light in the denser glass.
  2. Inside the Slab: The light travels in a straight line within the slab, still refracted but at an angle to the normal.
  3. Exit Refraction: Upon leaving the slab, the light bends away from the normal as it moves back into the less dense air.

Key Points

  • Parallel Faces: The entry and exit rays are parallel because the angle of incidence equals the angle of emergence.
  • Lateral Displacement: Although parallel, the light is displaced sideways from its original path, depending on the slab's thickness, the angle of incidence, and the glass's refractive index.

In essence, while the light rays remain parallel, they shift from their initial path due to refraction.

Refraction Through a Rectangular Glass Slab

10.0Refractive Index

Refractive index of a medium(n21​)

The relative refractive index of a medium 2 w.r.t medium 1 is the ratio of speed of light in medium 1 to the speed of light in medium 2.

n21​=speed of light in medium 2speed of light in medium 1​

n21​=v2​v1​​

Absolute Refractive Index of a Medium

The proportion of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a material is called absolute refractive index of medium.

n=vc​=speed of light in mediumspeed of light in vacuum​

  • Optically denser-Greater the value of n less will be the speed of light.
  • Optically rarer-Lesser the value of n greater will be the speed of light

11.0Image Formation In Spherical Lenses

(A). Rules to obtain images in Convex lens

  • A ray parallel to the principal axis moves through the focal point after refraction.
  •  A ray passing through the focal point emerges parallel to the principal axis.
  •  A ray through the optical center continues straight without deviation.

Image Formation in Convex Lenses

(B). Rules to obtain images in Concave lens

  •  A ray passes  parallel to the principal axis diverges as if it were coming from the focal point on the same side of the lens.
  •  A ray directed towards the focal point diverges parallel to the principal axis.
  •  A ray through the optical center continues straight without deviation.

Image Formation in Concave Lenses

For Convex Lens

Table showing the image formation for convex lens

For Concave Lens

Image formation with Concave Lens

  1. Image Formation By Convex Lens

Image Formation By Convex Lens

  1. Image Formation By Concave Lens

Image Formation By Concave Lens

12.0Sign Convention For Spherical Lenses

Sign Convention For Spherical Lenses

13.0Lens Formula And Magnification

  • The relationship between object distance(u) ,image distance(v) and the focal length(f) is given by v1​−u1​=f1​
  • Magnification-The ratio of height of image (h2​) to the height of object (h1​)

m=h1​h2​​=+uv​

m=f+uf​=ff−v​

14.0Power Of Lens

  • It is the extent of convergence or divergence of light rays. Falling on it.A lens of short focal length bends the light rays more through large angles.
  • The power of a lens is defined as the inverse of its focal length. P=F1​
  • Units is Dioptre (D)
  • For convex lens power is positive and for concave lens power is negative.

15.0Benefits of CBSE Notes for Class 10 Science Chapter 9 - Light: Reflection and Refraction

  • Problem-Solving Skills: Many notes include solved examples or highlight key steps for tackling numerical problems related to image formation, focal length, and magnification.
  • Identification of Important Topics: Effective CBSE Notes often emphasise topics that are frequently tested or are crucial for building a strong foundation in optics.
  • Personalised Learning: If you create your own notes, the process itself reinforces learning and allows you to tailor the information to your individual learning style and areas of difficulty.
  • Reduced Exam Stress: Having organised notes can contribute to a feeling of preparedness and control, ultimately reducing anxiety before exams.

Chapter-wise CBSE Notes for Class 10 Science:

Class 10 Science Chapter 1 - Chemical Reactions and Equation Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 2 - Acid Bases and Salts Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-Metals Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 4 - Carbon and Its Compounds Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 5 - Life Processes Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 6 - Control and Coordination Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 7 - How Do Organisms Reproduce? Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 8 - Heredity Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 9 - Light Reflection and Refraction Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 10 - Human Eye and Colorful World Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 11 - Electricity Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 12 - Magnetic Effects of Electric Current Notes

Class 10 Science Chapter 13 - Our Environment Notes



Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science:

Chapter 1: Chemical Reaction and Equations

Chapter 2: Acid Bases and Salts

Chapter 3: Metals and Non Metals

Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds

Chapter 5: Life Process

Chapter 6: Control and Coordination

Chapter 7: How Do Organisms Reproduce

Chapter 8: Heredity

Chapter 9: Light Reflection and Refraction

Chapter 10: Human Eye and Colourful World

Chapter 11: Electricity

Chapter 12: Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Chapter 13: Our Environment

Frequently Asked Questions

Power of a lens is one Dioptre if the focal length of a lens is 1 m.

Between the pole and the focus behind the convex mirror.

Convex mirror is preferred because it always forms virtual,erect and diminished images and it covers the wider field of view.

Only a concave mirror can give an erect and enlarged image of an object.

It means that light travels 2.42 times slower in diamond than it does in air.

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