Class 10 Physics Chapter 1: Light - Reflection and Refraction Notes
Class 10 Physics Chapter 1: Light - Reflection and
Refraction
Ultimate CBSE Notes for High School Physics Success
Color-coded, exam-ready notes with diagrams, practice questions, and revision tips!
Why Buy These Notes?
• CBSE & High School Aligned: Covers CBSE Class 10 Physics Chapter 1,
perfect for board exams and foundational physics.
• Visual Clarity: Color-coded sections, ray diagrams, and tables for easy learning.
• Engaging Features: Mnemonics, 10 practice MCQs, and quick revision cards.
• Sellable on Stuvia: Designed to attract US and global students with clear, concise
content.
1. What is Light?
Definition: Light is an electromagnetic wave that allows us to see objects by reflecting
off them.
Key Properties:
• Travels in straight lines (rectilinear propagation).
• No medium required (travels in vacuum).
• Speed in vacuum: 3 × 108 m/s.
Quick Trick: “Light’s Fast, Straight, and Bright!”
2. Reflection of Light
Definition: When light bounces back after striking a surface (e.g., mirror).
Laws of Reflection:
1. Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r).
2. Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal are in the same plane.
Diagram:
[Incident Ray] → [Mirror] → [Reflected Ray], Normal at 90◦ , i = r
Types:
• Regular: Smooth surfaces (e.g., plane mirror).
• Diffuse: Rough surfaces (e.g., wall).
1
, Class 10 Physics Chapter 1: Light - Reflection and Refraction Notes
3. Plane Mirror
Image Properties:
• Virtual (cannot be projected).
• Same size as object.
• Laterally inverted (left-right reversed).
• Same distance behind mirror as object is in front.
Mnemonic: “Plane Mirrors: Virtual, Equal, Flipped!”
4. Spherical Mirrors
Types:
• Concave: Curves inward (e.g., shaving mirror).
• Convex: Curves outward (e.g., car side mirror).
Key Terms:
• Centre of Curvature (C): Center of the mirror’s spherical surface.
• Radius of Curvature (R): Distance from pole to C.
• Focal Point (F): Where parallel rays converge/diverge (f = R/2).
• Principal Axis: Line through C and pole.
Mirror Formula:
1 1 1
= +
f u v
(u = object distance, v = image distance, f = focal length).
Magnification:
hi v
m= =−
ho u
(hi = image height, ho = object height).
Sign Convention:
• Right of pole: positive.
• Left of pole: negative.
• Real image: v positive; Virtual image: v negative.
5. Refraction of Light
Definition: Bending of light when it moves from one medium to another (e.g., air to
water).
Laws of Refraction:
1. Incident ray, refracted ray, and normal are in the same plane.
2
Class 10 Physics Chapter 1: Light - Reflection and
Refraction
Ultimate CBSE Notes for High School Physics Success
Color-coded, exam-ready notes with diagrams, practice questions, and revision tips!
Why Buy These Notes?
• CBSE & High School Aligned: Covers CBSE Class 10 Physics Chapter 1,
perfect for board exams and foundational physics.
• Visual Clarity: Color-coded sections, ray diagrams, and tables for easy learning.
• Engaging Features: Mnemonics, 10 practice MCQs, and quick revision cards.
• Sellable on Stuvia: Designed to attract US and global students with clear, concise
content.
1. What is Light?
Definition: Light is an electromagnetic wave that allows us to see objects by reflecting
off them.
Key Properties:
• Travels in straight lines (rectilinear propagation).
• No medium required (travels in vacuum).
• Speed in vacuum: 3 × 108 m/s.
Quick Trick: “Light’s Fast, Straight, and Bright!”
2. Reflection of Light
Definition: When light bounces back after striking a surface (e.g., mirror).
Laws of Reflection:
1. Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r).
2. Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal are in the same plane.
Diagram:
[Incident Ray] → [Mirror] → [Reflected Ray], Normal at 90◦ , i = r
Types:
• Regular: Smooth surfaces (e.g., plane mirror).
• Diffuse: Rough surfaces (e.g., wall).
1
, Class 10 Physics Chapter 1: Light - Reflection and Refraction Notes
3. Plane Mirror
Image Properties:
• Virtual (cannot be projected).
• Same size as object.
• Laterally inverted (left-right reversed).
• Same distance behind mirror as object is in front.
Mnemonic: “Plane Mirrors: Virtual, Equal, Flipped!”
4. Spherical Mirrors
Types:
• Concave: Curves inward (e.g., shaving mirror).
• Convex: Curves outward (e.g., car side mirror).
Key Terms:
• Centre of Curvature (C): Center of the mirror’s spherical surface.
• Radius of Curvature (R): Distance from pole to C.
• Focal Point (F): Where parallel rays converge/diverge (f = R/2).
• Principal Axis: Line through C and pole.
Mirror Formula:
1 1 1
= +
f u v
(u = object distance, v = image distance, f = focal length).
Magnification:
hi v
m= =−
ho u
(hi = image height, ho = object height).
Sign Convention:
• Right of pole: positive.
• Left of pole: negative.
• Real image: v positive; Virtual image: v negative.
5. Refraction of Light
Definition: Bending of light when it moves from one medium to another (e.g., air to
water).
Laws of Refraction:
1. Incident ray, refracted ray, and normal are in the same plane.
2
