Class 8 Science chapter 10 Light: Mirrors and Lenses helps students understand how the principles of light are applied in science, and everyday life, building a strong foundation for advanced studies in optics.
Light allows us to see the world around us. When light falls on shiny surfaces such as mirrors, it reflects back and forms images.
In this chapter, students explore different types of mirrors and lenses, how they form images, and their real-life uses — from car mirrors to spectacles, telescopes, and cameras. They also learn about the laws of reflection, and how concave and convex mirrors and lenses either converge or diverge light rays.
Mirrors and Lenses Worksheet
Our worksheets offer a wide range of practice questions, including MCQs, fill in the blanks, true or false, and short and long answer questions. Carefully aligned with the latest curriculum, these worksheets promote critical thinking through concept-based activities, simple experiments, and real-life applications, helping students build a strong and practical understanding of the topic.
With our engaging and well-structured worksheets, students can reinforce their classroom learning, prepare for exams, and develop a strong foundation in science.
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Science Class 8 Chapter 10 Study Notes
Spherical Mirrors
- Spherical mirrors are curved mirrors that form part of a sphere.
- Concave mirror: Reflecting surface curves inward (like the inside of a spoon).
- Convex mirror: Reflecting surface curves outward (like the back of a spoon).
Uses of Mirrors
- Concave mirrors: Torches, headlights, shaving mirrors, dentist mirrors, reflecting telescopes.
- Convex mirrors: Vehicle side mirrors, road safety mirrors, surveillance mirrors.
Laws of Reflection
- The angle of incidence (i) equals the angle of reflection (r).
- → i = r
- The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal all lie in the same plane.
- These laws apply to all mirrors – plane, concave, and convex.
Converging and Diverging Mirrors
- Concave mirror: Converges light rays (brings them together).
- Convex mirror: Diverges light rays (spreads them apart).
- Applications: Solar furnaces, reflectors, safety mirrors.
Lenses
- Lens: A transparent material (glass/plastic) with curved surfaces.
- Convex lens (converging): Thicker at the middle; converges light.
- Concave lens (diverging): Thicker at the edges; diverges light.
Uses of Lenses
- Convex lenses: Magnifying glass, camera, eye lens, microscope, telescope.
- Concave lenses: Spectacles for short-sightedness.
Mirrors and Lenses Question Answers
Q1. What are spherical mirrors? Name their types.
Ans: Spherical mirrors are mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are part of a sphere.
They are of two types:
• Concave mirror – the reflecting surface is curved inward.
• Convex mirror – the reflecting surface is curved outward.
Q2. What is the difference between concave and convex mirrors in image formation?
Ans: Concave mirror: Forms enlarged or diminished, erect or inverted images depending on the distance of the object.
Convex mirror: Always forms erect and diminished images, irrespective of distance.
Q3. State the two laws of reflection.
Ans: The angle of incidence (i) is equal to the angle of reflection (r).
The incident ray, normal, and reflected ray all lie in the same plane.
Q4. Explain the characteristics of images formed by concave and convex mirrors with examples.
Ans:
- Concave Mirror:
- When the object is close, image is erect and enlarged (used by dentists or in makeup mirrors).
- When the object is far, image becomes inverted and smaller.
- Used in headlights, torches, and telescopes because it converges light.
- Convex Mirror:
- Always forms erect and diminished images.
- Provides a wide field of view, making it ideal for rear-view mirrors in vehicles.
- Thus, the shape of the mirror determines the nature and size of the image formed.
Q5. Why are concave mirrors used in torches and car headlights?
Ans:
Concave mirrors converge light rays to form a strong parallel beam. When a bulb is placed at its focus, the reflected rays travel parallel, producing a bright beam suitable for torches and headlights.
Q6. Why are convex mirrors used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles?
Ans:
Convex mirrors diverge light rays and provide a wider field of view, enabling drivers to see more area behind them. They also produce erect and diminished images, which help in judging distance safely.