NIOS Class 10 Science Activity 15.1 Light Energy

In this activity, we will study the reflection of light from a plane mirror and the properties of the image formed by a plane mirror.

 

Light Energy Activity

This activity is based on the NIOS Class 10 Science and Technology (212) Chapter 15: Light Energy, Module 4.

 

Reflection of Light from a Plane Mirror

Aim

To study the reflection of light using a plane mirror and the nature of the image formed.

Materials Required

   1. Plane mirror

   2. Sheet of paper

   3. Two straws or pipes

   4. A pencil

   5. Scale

   Procedure

  We place a plane mirror in a vertical position on a sheet of paper. We then use a straw as the incident ray of light, keeping it at an angle with respect to the mirror.

    

  We can see the image of this straw behind the mirror. We place another straw on the paper in such a way that it coincides with the image of the first straw; the 2^nd straw represents the reflected ray.

   We can see the image and the 2^nd straw (reflected ray) in a straight line.

  Observation

  

  We can see that the first straw (incident ray) and the second ray (reflected ray) follow the law of reflection, which says – ‘the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection’.

   Explanation

   

   A plane mirror forms a virtual erect and laterally inverted image of the object.

   A virtual image cannot be obtained on a screen, and we cannot touch the image formed by a plane mirror because it is a virtual image.

   We cannot cut the image by cutting the paper because the image is not on the paper, as it is an apparent image.

  Conclusion

  

  This activity proves that:

   1. The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal lie in the same plane.

   2. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

   3. The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual, erect.

Frequently Asked Questions

   1. Can we touch the image formed in a plane mirror?

Answer – No, we cannot touch the image formed in a plane mirror.

   2. What type of image is formed in a plane mirror?

Answer – Image formed in a plane mirror is virtual, erect, and laterally inverted.

   3. What are the laws of reflection?

   Answer – (i)The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal lie in the same plane.

(ii) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection