GEOMETRICAL OPTICS

To a first approximation, we can consider the propagation of light disregarding its wave nature
and assuming that light propagates in straight lines called rays. This allows us to formulate the
laws of optics in the language of geometry. Thus, the branch of optics where the wave nature of
light is neglected is called geometrical (or ray) optics.

Properties of Light
(i) Speed of light in vacuum, denoted by c, is equal to 3 108 m/s approximately.

(ii) Light is electromagnetic wave (proposed by

Maxwell). It consists of varying electric field and
magnetic filed.

(iii) Light carries energy and momentum.

(iv) The formula v = f is applicable to light.

(v) When light gets reflected in same medium, it suffers no change in frequency, speed and
wavelength.

(vi) Frequency of light remains unchanged

when it gets reflected or refracted.

Reflection of light
When light rays strike the boundary of two media such as air and glass, a part of light is turned
back into the same medium. This is called Reflection of Light.
OR
When a ray of light is incident at a point on the surface, the surface throws partly or
wholly the incident energy back into the medium of incidence. This phenomenon is called
reflection.
Surface that cause reflection are known as mirrors or reflectors. Mirrors can be plane or curved.
(a) Regular Reflection
When the reflection takes place from a perfect plane
surface it is called Regular Reflection. In this case the
reflected light has large intensity in one direction and
negligibly small intensity in other directions.

(b) Diffused Reflection

When the surface is rough, we do not get a regular behavior of light. Although at each point light
ray gets reflected irrespective of the overall nature of surface, difference is observed because
even in a narrow beam of light there are many rays which are reflected from different points of
surface and it is quite possible that these rays may move in different directions due to irregularity
of the surface. The process enables us to see an object from any position. Such a reflection is
called as diffused reflection.

For example reflection from a wall, from a news

paper etc. This is why you can not see your face in news paper
and in the wall.

Geometrical optics is based on four laws:

1. Law of Rectilinear Propagation of Light.
It states that light propagates in straight lines in homogenous media.
2. Law of Independence of Light Rays
It states that rays do not disturb each other upon intersection.
3. Laws of Reflection
(i) The incident-ray, the reflected-ray and the normal to the reflecting surface at the point of
incidence all
lie in the same plane i.e. they are coplanar.
This condition can be expressed mathematically as

where and are vectors of any magnitude along incident ray, the normal and the
reflected ray
respectively.
(ii) The angle of reflection (r) is equal to the angle of incidence (i) i.e. i = r.
These laws are applicable to all reflecting surfaces either plane or curved.

SPECIAL CASES

1. Normal Incidence : In case of light is incident normally, i.e. if i = 0 by i = r, r = 0 and

= 180o i.e., if a ray is incident normally on a boundary, after reflection it retraces its
path.

2.
Grazing Incidence: In case of light
strikes the reflecting surface tangentially, i = r =
90o and = 0o or 360o.

Note: In case of reflection speed (magnitude of velocity) of light remains unchanged but in
grazing incidence velocity remains unchanged.

Illustration1
Show that for a light ray incident at an angle i on getting reflected the angle of
deviation is = 2i or + 2i.
Solution

From figure (b) it is clear

that light ray bends either by 1
anticlockwise or by
2 = (2 1) clockwise.From figure
(a) 1 = 2i

2 = + 2i.

Illustration2
Find graphically the position of the observers eye, which will allow
him to see in a plane mirror of finite dimensions, the image of the
straight line arranged as shown.

Solution
A B is the reflected image of AB by CD. The
reflected rays EA2 and FA1 must reach the eye so that
the whole image can be seen.

Illustration3
Rays of light are incident on a plane mirror at 40o. At what angle with the first should a
second mirror be placed such that the rays emerge from the second mirror parallel to the first
mirror.
Solution
In triangle BOC, we have
2 + 50o = 180o
Or,

= 1302=65

Illustration4

Two plane mirrors are arranged at right angles to each

other as shown in figure. A ray of light is incident on the horizontal
mirror at an angle. For what value of the ray emerges parallel to
the incoming ray after reflection from the vertical mirror?
(a) 60o

(b) 30o

(c) 45o

(d) all of these

Solution
The incident and the second reflected ray make the same angle
with vertical. Therefore, they are parallel for any value of .

Illustration5
Two plane mirrors are inclined at angle as shown in
figure. If a ray parallel to OB strikes the other mirror at P and
finally emerges parallel to OA after two reflections then q is equal
to :
(a) 90o

(b) 60o

(c) 45o

(d) 30o

Solution
OPQ = OQP =
3 = 180o

= 60o.

No. OF IMAGES WHEN TWO PLANE MIRROR ARE INCLINED AT AN ANGLE q

Case I:
If 360 is even integer (say m) number of images formed
n = (m 1), for all positions of object.

Case II:
If 360 is odd integer (say m), number of images formed
n = m, if the object is not on the bisector of mirrors.
Case III:
If is a fraction, the number of images formed will be equal to its integral part.

Illustration6
Figure shows a point object placed between two parallel
mirrors. Its distance from M1 is 2 cm and that from M2 is 8 cm.
Find the distance of images from the two mirrors considering
reflection on mirror M1 first.

Solution
To understand how images are formed see the following figure and table. You will require to
know what symbols like I121 stands for. See the following diagram.

MINIMUM HEIGHT OF MIRROR TO SEE FULL IMAGE OF A MAN

2x + 2y = H

Height = (x + y) = h = H2 of mirror.
HEIGHT OF MIRROR TO SEE THE FULL IMAGE OF A MAN AND WALL BEHIND
HIM.

3x + 3y = H
3(x + y) = H
h = x + y = H3 (wall)

KINETICS BETWEEN MIRROR OBJECT & IMAGES

Illustration7
An object moves with 5 m/s towards right while the mirror moves with 1 m/s towards
the left as shown. Find the velocity of image.

Solution

Take as + direction. vi vm = vm v0
vi (-1) = (-1) 5
vi = -7 m/s.
m/s and direction towards left.

Illustration8
In the situation shown in figure, find the
velocity of image.

Solution Along x direction, applying vi vm = -(vo vm)

Vi (-5 cos 30o) = -(10 cos 60o (-5 cos 30o))
vi = 5 (1 + 3) m/s
Along y direction vo = vi
vi = 10 sin 60o = 53 m/s
Velocity of the image = -5 (1 +3) + 53j m/s.