Chapter 12 – Reflection

of Light

‘Section A’ Experiment Question

Q1 When carrying out an experiment to find the focal length of a concave mirror, a
student first found an approximate value for the focal length, then accurately
measured the image distance for a number of different object distances.The
following table shows the data recorded.

Table 12.3

approximate focal length / cm 15.3

u / cm 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0
v / cm 60.5 30.0 23.0 20.5 18.0 15.5

One of the reasons for finding the approximate focal length prior to performing
the experiment proper is to ensure we do not place the object too close to, or
inside, 15.3 cm. Why is that important? (6)
object inside focal length and image is virtual (3)
too close to focal length and image will be too far to measure (3)
Describe, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how the position of the image was
found. (12)

Cross threads

Ray box
Concave
mirror

Screen

Diagram: (illuminated) object and screen / object pin & search pin (3)
Diagram: concave mirror (3)
Description: move object / lens / screen // search pin (3)
Description: until sharp image is seen // until no parallax is seen (3)

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Calculate the focal length of the concave mirror by drawing a suitable graph
based on the recorded data. (18)

For use of graph: a against b / u against v

1 1
u v
1 1
calculate and values // label axes u and v (3)
u v

1
/ cm1 0.067 0.050 0.040 0.033 0.029 0.025
u
1
/ cm1 0.017 0.033 0.043 0.049 0.056 0.065
v

label axes // plot at least five points (3)

plot at least five points // draw smooth curve (3)
straight line // locate point where u  v (3)
extrapolate to cut axis (or axes) & read axis value 
 (6.7 ± 0.1 cm / 0.067 ± 0.001 m) // read coordinate(s)  30 (3)
focal length  15.0 ± 1.0 (cm) (3)

0.10
0.09
0.08
0.07
–1

0.06
v / cm

0.05
1

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10
1 –1
u / cm

70

60

50
v / cm

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
u / cm

REFLECTION OF LIGHT 71
 For use of data table rather than graphical work:
1 1 1
  / correct substitution / one correct f value / average f (3, 3, 3, 6)
f u v

Why might there be a difference between the approximate focal length and the
value found using all the data provided? (4)
difficulty in measuring the image distance accurately by ‘approximate’ method /
parallax error / finding exact point of sharpest image (any 4)

‘Section B’ Short Question: Typical of

Question 5 in Leaving Cert. Exam
Q2 Answer all of the following parts (a), (b), (c), etc.
(a) What is light? (7)
form of energy / travels by electromagnetic waves (4, 3)

(b) A concave mirror can produce a real or a virtual image, depending on the
position of the object. Give two differences between a real image and a
virtual image. (7)
a real image can be obtained on a screen / in a real image the light rays meet /
a real image is always inverted / a virtual image is always erect / a real image
is in front (any two 4, 3)

(c) Describe the image that is formed in a concave mirror when an object is
placed inside the focus. (7)
virtual / erect / magnified (any two 4, 3)

(d) Draw a ray diagram to show how a concave mirror forms an image of an
object, which is placed outside the centre of curvature of a mirror. (7)

(7)

(e) Fig 12.18 shows parallel rays of light approaching a concave mirror. Copy the
diagram and show the paths of the rays after they strike the mirror. (7)

Fig 12.18

F
(7)

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 (f) Give two uses for a concave mirror. (7)
torch / headlights / searchlight // dentist mirror / cosmetic mirror / shaving
mirror (4, 3)

(g) Describe the nature of an image formed by a convex spherical mirror. (7)
virtual / erect / diminished (any two 4, 3)

(h) Give a practical application for convex mirrors. (7)

supermarkets aisles / car’s rearview mirror / outside concealed entrances (any
one 7)

(i) An object is placed 36 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 12 cm.

How far from the mirror is the image formed? (7)
1 1 1
  / (f ) 18 cm (4, 3)
f u v

(j) By what factor is an image greater than an object, when the object is
positioned 15 cm away from a concave mirror and the image is 30 cm
away? (7)
v
m / double (4, 3)
u

‘Section B’ Half Question: Typical of

Question 12 in Leaving Cert. Exam
Q3 Answer both of the following parts (a) and (b).
(a) State the laws of reflection of light. (6)
incident ray, normal, reflected ray are in the same plane (3)
angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection (3)

A concave mirror has a focal length of 30 cm. An object is placed 45 cm in

front of the mirror. How far from the mirror will the image be formed? (9)
1 1 1
  (3)
f u v
1 1 1
  (3)
30 45 v
(v ) 90 cm (3)

Using the same concave mirror, find the two positions at which an object may
be placed so that the image formed may be twice the size of the object. (13)
v
m (3)
u
1 1 1
for real image:   (3)
f u 2u

REFLECTION OF LIGHT 73
 Incident (u ) 45 cm (3)
ray
1 1 1
for virtual image:   (2)
i f u 2u
Normal
r
(u ) 15 cm (2)

(b) What is meant by the reflection of light? (6)

Reflected
ray sending back / returning / bouncing (of light) (3)
from a mirror / (shiny) surface (3)
a diagram may merit full marks

Describe an experiment to demonstrate one of the laws of reflection

of light. (12)
Apparatus: Ray box (or drawing pins) / (plane) mirror (3)
Procedure: Mark the position of the rays / pins // measure i and r (3, 3)
Observation/Conclusion: i  r (3)

A student found the focal length of a concave mirror using the apparatus
illustrated in Fig 12.19.

Object Clamp

Clamp can move

up and down

Cork
Retort stand

Concave mirror

Fig 12.19

By adjusting the distance from the pin to the centre of curvature of the
mirror a position of no parallax was found between the pin and its image in
the mirror. The distance at which this occurred was 20 cm from the pole of
the mirror. What was the focal length of the mirror? Use a ray diagram to
justify this answer. (10)
10 cm (3)
object and image at centre of curvature (3)

(4)
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