NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflection

NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light : Shadows and Reflection, introduces students to the basic concepts of how light behaves when it interacts with different objects.

In this NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Chapter students will explore the properties of light, understand how shadows are formed, and discover the principles behind the reflection of light. The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 help students answer textbook questions with clarity, practice concept-based reasoning, and improve their understanding through well-explained answers curated by subject experts.

1.0NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light : Shadows and Reflection – Download PDF

Get the free PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 – Light: Shadows and Reflection and strengthen your preparation for exams.

2.0Key Concepts in Chapter 11 Light : Shadows and Reflection

1. Light Travels in a Straight Line

Light always moves in a straight path. This is demonstrated through simple experiments like using a bent pipe to show that light doesn't pass through curves. The solutions explain the concept with diagrams and activity-based reasoning.

2. Transparent, Opaque, and Translucent Objects

Objects that allow light to pass fully (transparent), partially (translucent), or not at all (opaque) are discussed. The answers help students differentiate between these objects using daily-life examples.

3. Formation and Nature of Shadows

When an opaque object blocks light, a shadow is formed. Key points like:

• Shadows are always dark
• They are formed on the opposite side of the light source
• They mimic the shape of the object

These are explained with labeled diagrams and real-life instances.

4. Reflection of Light

The chapter dives into how light reflects from surfaces. Students are introduced to concepts like:

• Angle of incidence and angle of reflection
• The law of reflection
• Regular and diffused reflection

Diagrams showing how mirrors reflect light are included in the solutions for better visual learning.

5. Use of Plane Mirrors

Plane mirrors are flat surfaces that reflect light. The solutions include answers to questions about:

• The image formed in plane mirrors
• Characteristics of images (virtual, erect, same size)
• Lateral inversion (left-right reversal)

3.0NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light : Shadows and Reflection - Detailed Solutions

• Which of the following are luminous objects? Mars, Moon, Pole Star, Sun, Venus, Mirror Solution: Luminous objects are objects that produce their own light. Non-luminous objects are those that do not produce light but can reflect it

• Match the items in Column A with those in Column B. Solution:

• Sahil, Rekha, Patrick, and Qasima are trying to observe the candle flame through the pipe as shown in Fig.. Who can see the flame?
  
  Solution: Only Rekha can see the candle flame. Light always travels in a straight line. In the given arrangement, the pipe from the candle to Rekha is straight, so light rays from the flame can directly travel through the pipe and reach her eyes. For Sahil, Patrick, and Qasima, the pipes are bent, so the straight path of light is blocked at the bends. Since light cannot bend around corners (without reflection), they cannot see the flame.
• Look at the images shown in Fig. and select the correct image showing the shadow formation of the boy.
  
  Solution:

• The shadow of a ball is formed on a wall by placing the ball in front of a fixed torch as shown in Fig. In scenario (i) the ball is closer to the torch, while in scenario (ii) the ball is closer to the wall. Choose the most accurate representation of the shadows formed in both scenarios from the options provided ( a and b ).
  
  Solution: Case (i): Ball near the torch The torch emits light in a cone shape. When the ball is close to the torch, it blocks a larger portion of this light cone before it spreads out. As a result, the blocked light covers a bigger area on the wall, making the shadow large. Case (ii): Ball near the wall Here, the ball is far from the torch but very close to the wall. The light rays have more space to spread before reaching the ball, so the ball blocks a smaller part of the light cone. The blocked area on the wall is smaller, so the shadow appears small. Hence, shadow formation in given option (a) is correct.
  
• Based on figure, match the position of the torch in Column I with the characteristics of the ball's shadow in Column II.
  

Solution

• Suppose you view the tree shown in Fig. through a pinhole camera. Sketch the outline of the image of the tree formed in the pinhole camera.
  
  Solution: In a pinhole camera, the image formed is inverted (upside-down) and smaller compared to the object. So, if you view the given tall, pointed tree through a pinhole camera, your sketch should look like: The same shape as the tree, but upside down. The pointed top of the tree will be at the bottom in the image. The trunk will be at the top in the image.
  
• Write your name on a piece of paper and hold it in front of a plane mirror such that the paper is parallel to the mirror. Sketch the image. What difference do you notice? Explain the reason for the difference. Solution: When you hold a piece of paper with your name written on it in front of a plane mirror (with the paper parallel to the mirror), the image in the mirror appears reversed left-to-right. A plane mirror forms a laterally inverted image. This means the left side of the object appears on the right side in the image, and vice versa. However, the image remains upright (not upside down). This happens because light rays from each point on the object reflect from the mirror following the law of reflection and appear to come from a point behind the mirror, but their horizontal positions are swapped.
  
• Measure the length of your shadow at 9 AM , 12 PM , and 4 PM with the help of your friend. Write down your observations: (i) At which of the given times is your shadow the shortest? (ii) Why do you think this happens? Solution:

Observations:

(i) Shadow is shortest at 12 PM (or solar noon - when the Sun is nearly overhead). (ii) The length of a shadow depends on the angle of the Sun in the sky: (a) Morning (9 AM): The Sun is lower in the sky and sunlight hits you at a slant. So, shadow is long. (b) Noon (12 PM): The Sun is almost directly overhead and sunlight is nearly vertical. So, shadow is shortest. (c) Afternoon (4 PM): The Sun is lower again and sunlight hits at a slant. So, shadow becomes long again.

• On the basis of following statements, choose the correct option. Statement A: Image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted. Statement B: Images of alphabets T and O appear identical to themselves in a plane mirror. (i) Both statements are true (ii) Both statements are false (iii) Statement $A$ is true, but statement $B$ is false (iv) Statement A is false, but statement B is true Solution: Option (i) is correct Plane mirrors cause left-right reversal. But if an object is vertically symmetrical (like T, O, H, A, M), the image looks the same as the object even after inversion.
• Suppose you are given a tube of the shape shown in the Fig. and two plane mirrors smaller than the diameter of the tube. Can this tube be used to make a periscope? If yes, mark where you will fix the plane mirrors.
  
  Solution: Yes, the tube can be used to make a periscope.
  
  Positioning the mirrors: To construct the periscope, you would place the two plane mirrors at 45-degree angles inside the tube. First mirror: Place the first mirror at the top of the tube, facing down at a 45-degree angle. Second mirror: Place the second mirror at the bottom of the tube, facing up at a 45-degree angle to reflect light from the outside to the viewer's eyes.
• We do not see the shadow on the ground of a bird flying high in the sky. However, the shadow is seen on the ground when the bird swoops near the ground. Think and explain why it is so. Solution: When the bird is close to the ground, the shadow is smaller, sharper, and darker because the light rays from the Sun have less space to spread before hitting the ground. When the bird is very high, the dark part of the shadow spreads out and vanishes before reaching the ground, leaving only a faint shadow which is not visible to our eyes.

4.0Key Features of NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Chapter 11

1. 100% NCERT-Based Solutions – All answers strictly follow the updated NCERT textbook and CBSE guidelines for the 2025–26 academic session.
2. Step-by-Step Explanations – Answers are broken down into logical steps to make understanding easier, especially for visual learners.
3. Illustrations and Diagrams – Helps students visualize how shadows form or how light reflects from a mirror.
4. Real-life Examples – Concepts like lateral inversion or shadow formation are related to real-world objects like torchlight, the sun, or your bathroom mirror.
5. Quick Revision Support – These NCERT solutions are perfect for last-minute revision and homework assistance.
6. Improves Exam Performance – Builds confidence through clear understanding, which helps in solving MCQs, short answers, and long-form questions with ease.