CBSE Class 10 Science Question 3 of 17

Light - Reflection and Refraction — Question 8

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Question 8

Name the type of mirror used in the following situations.

(a) Headlights of a car

(b) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle

(c) Solar furnace

Support your answer with a reason.

Answer

(a) Concave mirrors because they produce powerful parallel beam of light when the light source is placed at its principal focus.

(b) Convex Mirror because they always give an erect image with a wider field of view as they are curved outward, enabling the driver to view much larger area than would be possible with a plane mirror.

(c) Concave Mirror because it concentrates the parallel rays of the sun at a principal focus.

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Science | Chapter 9: Light: Reflection and RefractionWeb Content

Chapter 9: Light: Reflection and Refraction — Quick Revision Guide

Introduction

Light behaves predictably when it reflects off mirrors and refracts through lenses. This chapter covers the laws of reflection and refraction, image formation by spherical mirrors and lenses, and numerical problem-solving using mirror and lens formulae.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. Laws of reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflection; incident ray, reflected ray, normal in same plane
  2. Concave mirror: converging; image depends on object position (6 cases from ∞ to between P and F)
  3. Convex mirror: always virtual, erect, diminished image; used as rear-view mirror (wider field of view)
  4. Mirror formula: 1/v + 1/u = 1/f; magnification m = −v/u = h'/h
  5. Sign convention: object on left → u negative; concave f negative; convex f positive
  6. Refraction: bending of light at interface; Snell's law: sin i / sin r = n21; denser medium bends towards normal
  7. Convex lens: converging; 6 image positions; concave lens: always virtual, erect, diminished
  8. Lens formula: 1/v − 1/u = 1/f; m = v/u; Power P = 1/f(m); unit: dioptre (D)
  9. Convex lens: +f, +P; Concave lens: −f, −P; combination: P = P1 + P2

Real-World Connections

Concave mirrors in solar cookers and headlights; convex mirrors for vehicle rear-view; magnifying glass is a convex lens; spectacles correct vision defects; cameras and projectors use lenses.

Quick Self-Test (5 Questions)

  1. What is the most important concept you learned from this chapter?
  2. Can you write three key equations/formulae from this chapter from memory?
  3. Draw a labelled diagram relevant to this chapter without looking at your notes.
  4. Explain one real-world application of a concept from this chapter.
  5. What is one common mistake students make in this chapter, and how can you avoid it?

Further Study

  • NCERT Textbook Chapter 9
  • NCERT Exemplar Problems
  • Bright Tutorials Detailed Notes: ch09-light-reflection-refraction.html
  • Bright Tutorials Practice Questions: ch09-light-reflection-refraction.html
  • Previous Year CBSE Board Papers

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