Illuminated objects - Objects that do not produce light on their own but reflect the light that falls upon them are called illuminated objects. For example, the moon.
Luminous objects - Objects which can produce light on their own are called luminous objects. For example, tube light, bulb, the Sun and the Stars.
We know that light is a form of energy which is responsible for the sense of sight in the human eyes. Light can be called as a radiation that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by different objects.
THE LAWS OF REFLECTION
When light strikes a surface and bounces back, it is called reflection.
Incident ray - The ray of light that falls on the surface is called incident ray.
Reflected ray - The ray of the light that gets reflected back from the surface is called reflected ray.
Normal - It is an imaginary line that is drawn perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point where the incident ray strikes the surface or at the point of incidence.
The angle of incidence (θi) - It is the angle that the incident ray makes with the normal.
The angle of reflection (θr) - It is the angle that the reflected ray makes with the normal.For an incident ray, there is always one reflected ray.
First Law of Reflection
The angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are always equal to each other. In other words, the angle by which a ray of light is incident on a surface will always be equal to the angle by which it is reflected back from the surface.
The Second Law of Reflection
The incident ray, the reflected ray and normal all lie in the same plane.
Characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror
- It has the same height as that of the object.
- The distance between the image and the mirror and the object and the mirror is always equal.
- The image is erect or upright.
- The image is laterally inverted.
- It is a virtual image because it is formed by the apparent intersection of diverging rays.
TYPES OF REFLECTIONS
Regular reflection - Regular reflection occurs when all of the parallel rays reflected from a plane surface are parallel.Reflection from a smooth surface like that of a mirror is an example of regular reflection.
Diffused or irregular reflection- occurs when all of the parallel rays reflected from a plane surface are not parallel.
The diffused reflection is not due to the failure of laws of reflection but caused by irregularities in the reflecting surface.
Reflected Light Can Be Reflected Again-
Multiple reflections can be obtained by placing more than one mirrors at certain angles to each other which results in reflection of light for multiple times between the reflecting surfaces. This phenomenon is used in certain scenarios such as:
-In a Periscope to see hidden objects
-In a kaleidoscope to see beautiful patterns
-In a barbershop to see the back of the head of a person getting a haircut
Figure - Multiple Reflection of Light
If 2 mirrors are placed together then no. Of images formed = 360 /θ - 1
What is a Periscope?
A Periscope is an instrument that is used to look at objects that are not in the line of sight of the observer.In other words, it is used to see objects that are hidden.The Periscope works on the phenomena of multiple reflections of light.Inside the periscope, there are two mirrors that are inclined at an angle of 45
Periscopes are generally used in submarines, tanks and bunkers by the soldiers.
What is a Kaleidoscope?
It is a device that works on the phenomena of multiple reflections with the help of multiple mirror.It has a cylindrical structure with three plane mirrors inside it.It contains several pieces of beads, broken glass, colourful bangles, pebbles etc.
The observer can look into the Kaleidoscope from one end and the light enters into the Kaleidoscope from the other end.When the light falls upon these objects in the Kaleidoscope, multiple reflections of these objects are created in the three Mirrors.This results in the formation of beautiful and colourful patterns.Since the reflection of light is not always the same the observer never sees a similar pattern in the kaleidoscope.
Sunlight - white or coloured
The sun is the biggest source of light on the earth.
The sunlight is white in colour however this white light often disperses into several colours which results in different colours of the sky at different times of the day.The white light consists of seven colours namely VIBGYOR (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red).
This arrangement of seven colours of a white light is called as Spectrum.
All these colours mixed together and form the white light. However, due to the reflection of light, the seven colours can split and be seen as separate colours rather than a single white light.This phenomenon of the splitting of light into its constituents is called Dispersion of light.
Examples of dispersion of light:
Formation of rainbow due to the dispersion of white light through the water droplets , passing of Sunlight through a prism ,Dispersion of light through the soap Bubbles ,Dispersion of light on the CDs.
The structure and working of the human eye
•The eye has a spherical structure which is called the eyeballs. The eyeballs are attached in the eye socket and various muscles are connected to them called the eye muscles. These are muscles allow the movement of the eyeballs.
•The eyes are protected with eyelids. They prevent an excess of light and dust to enter into the eyes and therefore save the eyes from any outer objects.
•Cornea - It is a transparent covering present on the outer side of the eyes. It consists of 6 layers. Tear fluid covers cornea and protects the eye.
•Iris - It is a dark coloured muscular structure present in the centre of the cornea. The Iris consists of a small opening call Pupil through which the light enters into the eye. The Iris has colourful pigments like grey, blue, black, green, brown etc. The amount of light that enters the eye is controlled by the Iris. In other words, Iris controls the Pupil.
•Lens - It is like a sphere of liquid present inside the eye. The eye lens is located behind the Pupil which helps in the formation of an image in the eye.
•Retina- Retina is a layer located behind the lens at the back of the eye. The eye lens focuses the light that enters into the eye over the retina. The retina consists of different Nerve cells that perform different tasks. There are sensory cells that detect the light. They then transform that information into an electrical impulse. These electrical impulses are sent to the brain via the optic nerve. Two types of vision cells in the retina are:
•Rods - They get activated in darkness or dim-light and the responsible for light-dark vision.
•Cones - they react to bright light and therefore sense colour in an object
•Vitreous Chamber - The inner space of the eyeball called the transparent vitreous chamber consists of a gel-like substance. This substance maintains the right pressure in the eye and maintains the stability of the eyeball.
•Blind spot - There is a point in the eye located at the junction of the retina and the optic nerve where no sensory cells are present. This spot is therefore called the blind spot as it does not support any vision.
Persistence of image on the retina
The image that is formed on the retina persists for 1/16th of a second.
The vision may decrease with age
Normally a person can see distant and nearby objects through the eyes.A person with normal eyes can read most comfortable at a distance of 25cm. However, this distance can decrease with age.
Also sometimes people can see far objects clearly but not the objects that are nearby (farsightedness or hyperopia).
Similarly, some people can see the nearby objects clearly but not the far objects (nearsightedness or myopia). Hence they use suitable lenses to correct such defects.
Sometimes with old age, the lens of the eye can become cloudy or foggy. This condition is called cataract with results in loss of vision.However, this defect can be rectified by removing the old lens from the eye and inserting an artificial lens at that place.
How to take care of the eyes?
-One should go for a regular eye check up.
-Wear spectacles if the eyesight is found weak.
-Always study or watch TV in a sufficient light. Excess or insufficient light both can lead to problems. Insufficient light can cause strain and leads to a headache.
-Do not look at the sharp source of light like the sun directly. Excess of light can damage the eyes.
-If dust enters into the eye one should not rub them and rather wash them straightway.
-Maintain a normal distance while reading or watching TV.
-Take a balanced diet to ensure that you get the right nutrients.
How can visually impaired people read and write?
The Braille system
Braille is a tactual aid for visually challenged people that allow them to read and write.It was developed by a visually challenged person called Louis Braille. This system was published by him in 1821 however the present Braille System was adopted in 1932.
For many common languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Mathematics and scientific notations a Braille code is present.
In the Braille code, there are 63 Dots or 63 Characters.These are arranged in a cell of two vertical rows having three dots each.The patterns are embossed on a Braille Sheet that allows a person to read by touching the pattern. Each character in the Braille system can represent:a letter ,a combination of letters or a word ,a grammatical sign.