VII Physics Handout 5

HANDOUT – 5 1st Term (2024-2025)
Name: Class: VII Roll: Section:

Subject: Physics Teachers: Mahmod Ullah / Medha Dewan Date:
Chapter: 4.02
(Flat Mirrors)
Reflection
When a ray of light hits any surface and the light ray bounces back, it is called the reflection of light. For
reflection to happen there is no need to change any medium for light.
Types of reflection
 Irregular/Diffuse Reflection: The light rays that fall on the surface are reflected back in different
directions irregularly. This generally happens in the case of an irregular or roughly surfaced
object like paper.
 Regular/Specular Reflection: The light rays that fall on the surface of the reflecting object reflect
back in a particular direction. The reflected rays are always parallel to each other. This generally
happens in case of a smooth and shiny surface like mirror.
Laws of reflection
a) The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.
b) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
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Note
The incident ray is the ray of light travelling towards the mirror or object, the reflected ray is the ray of light
that bounces off or travelling away from the surface, and the normal is an imaginary line perpendicular (or
at a right angle or 900 ) to the surface at the point of incidence (where the light hits the surface).
How a flat/plane mirror makes an image
A plane mirror is a type of mirror that has a flat, smooth surface. When we look into a plane mirror, it reflects
thelight that falls on it, allowing us to see our self or objects in front of it.
A real image is an image that can be projected onto a screen or a piece of paper. In other words, a real
image can be captured and seen by our eyes.
A virtual image is an optical illusion that appears as if it is behind a mirror or a lens, but it doesn't actually
exist in that physical space. Virtual images cannot be captured on a screen or paper.
Differences between Real and Virtual Images
Real Images Virtual Images

Images that actually formed. Images that appear to be formed.
A real image can be obtained on a screen. A virtual image cannot be obtained on a screen. But it
can be obtained on a mirror or a lens.
Example: Images formed on movie screen Example: Images formed by the plane mirror.
Formed on different side than that of the object Formed on the same side as that of the object.
Characteristics of an Image Formed by a Plane Mirror
1. Virtual Image
2. Same Size
The image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object being reflected. If you stand in frontof
a plane mirror, your reflection will have the exact height, width, and proportions of your real self.
3. Upright
The image formed by a plane mirror is always upright, meaning it appears in the same orientation as the
object being reflected. For instance, if you hold a book upright in front of a plane mirror, the image of the
book will also appear upright.
4. Formed at the Same Distance

The image formed by a plane mirror is located at the same distance behind the mirror as the object in
front of it. This means that the distance between the mirror and the object is the same as the distance
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between the mirror and the image. So, if you stand 1 m away from a plane mirror, your reflection will
appear to be 1 m behind the mirror.
5. Laterally Inverted
This means the left and right sides of the image appear swapped compared to the actual object. For
example, if you raise your right hand in front of a plane mirror, the image will show your left hand raised.
In short left becomes right and right becomes left.
Periscope
A periscope is a long, tubular device which is used to see objects which are not at the same eyelevel as the
observer. The mechanism is based on the reflection of light by two plane mirrors.
Description: The periscope consists of two plane mirrors fixed at 45º at the ends of a long narrow tube.
The mirrors are parallel to each other. The light rays from the object enters the periscope and hits the mirror
(each mirror turns the light rays by 90°) and then enters the observer’s eyes. The observer looking from
below can see the image of the object in the lower mirror. Image of one mirror is reflected to the other
mirror and this is how, the person can then see the object.
Some applications of periscopes

i. Submarines
ii. Endoscopy technology
iii. Land and sea warfare
Note: The image we see by a periscope is the right way round because one mirror cancels out the lateral
inversion of the other.
Example:
Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

(reflected once) (reflected twice)
No. of reflections are odd, No. of reflections are even,
image will appear laterally inverted image will appear same way around
When any object is reflected twice, that image appears to be in the right way as the object. (Image 1 and
Image 3)
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HANDOUT – 5 1st Term (2024-2025)

Name: Class: VII Roll: Section:

How a flat/plane mirror makes an image

Differences between Real and Virtual Images

Real Images Virtual Images

Characteristics of an Image Formed by a Plane Mirror

4. Formed at the Same Distance

Some applications of periscopes

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

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