When light from a luminous object falls on an object, some amount reflects off its surface in all directions. We see the object when this reflected light enters our eyes.

The smoother and more polished the surface of an object, the more light it reflects. The more light an object reflects, the clearer the image of another object appears on its surface. For example, stainless steel plates and spoons can show the image of an object placed in front of them as they are able to reflect a considerable amount of light that falls on their surface. A well-polished surface of a table-top can also produce an image, as well-polished surfaces reflect more light as compared to the unpolished ones.

The phenomenon of bouncing back of light when it falls on the surface of an object is called reflection of light. This is similar to the bouncing of a ball which is thrown on to a wall.

It is known that opaque objects block most of the light that falls on them. This light which is prevented by an opaque object from getting through can undergo one or more processes among reflection, transmission, and absorption.

All the objects which can be seen by our eyes reflect some amount of light, if not all. For example, chair, table, walls , plants and animals etc.

Introduction: Nowadays magnets are widely used for many applications. In this session, we will discuss the basics of magnets and their properties, and the way they were and are used. Explanation: Magnets: Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials: Poles of a Magnet: Fig No. 1.2: Poles of a magnet Compass: Interaction Between Magnets: The north pole of […]

Introduction: Nowadays magnets are widely used for many applications. In this session, we will discuss the basics of magnets and their properties, and the way they were and are used. Explanation: Magnets: Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials: Poles of a Magnet: Fig No. 1.2: Poles of a magnet Compass: Interaction Between Magnets: The north pole of […]

Introduction: We can’t directly observe many waves like light waves and sound waves. The mechanical waves on a rope, waves on the surface of the water, and a slinky are visible to us. So, these mechanical waves can serve as a model to understand the wave phenomenon. Explanation: Types of Waves: Fig:1 Types of waves […]

Introduction: In a tug of war, the one applying more force wins the game. In this session, we will calculate this force that makes one team win and one team lose. We will learn about it in terms of balanced force and unbalanced force. Explanation: Force Force is an external effort that may move a […]

A mirror is the best reflector of light. The reflection of light by a mirror is depicted by the figure below. When we see our face in a mirror, we are seeing the light from our face reflecting off the mirror. The reflection of our face on the mirror is called our image.

The closer the football is moved to the light source, the bigger the shadow becomes. This is because the object blocks more and more light as it moves towards the source. The further the football is moved from the light source, the smaller the shadow becomes. This is because the object blocks lesser and lesser light as it moves away from the source.

We cannot see through a mirror at all. Thus, it is an opaque object. This is because no light passes through it. In other words, all the light that falls on the surface of a mirror bounces off, i.e., gets reflected. This is because of its highly smooth and polished surface. In fact, a mirror reflects 99.9% of light that falls on it. Hence, it is the best reflector of light.

Introduction: Visible Light: Visible light from the Sun comes to Earth as white light traveling through space in the form of waves. Visible light contains a mixture of wavelengths that the human eye can detect. Visible light has wavelengths between 0.7 and 0.4 millionths of a meter. The different colors you see are electromagnetic waves […]

In the picture below, the material on the left is a mirror, whereas the material on the right is a glass partition. We cannot see through the mirror at all. However, we can completely see through the glass partition. Thus, the mirror is opaque, whereas glass is transparent.

The fraction of light that gets reflected, transmitted or absorbed by an object varies with the type of object chosen amongst transparent, translucent and opaque objects.

Introduction: Visible Light: Visible light from the Sun comes to Earth as white light traveling through space in the form of waves. Visible light contains a mixture of wavelengths that the human eye can detect. Visible light has wavelengths between 0.7 and 0.4 millionths of a meter. The different colors you see are electromagnetic waves […]

Introduction: We can’t directly observe many waves like light waves and sound waves. The mechanical waves on a rope, waves on the surface of the water, and a slinky are visible to us. So, these mechanical waves can serve as a model to understand the wave phenomenon. Explanation: Types of Waves: Fig:1 Types of waves […]

Thus, we can arrange the objects in descending order of the amount of light that reflects off its surface in the following manner.

Introduction: In a tug of war, the one applying more force wins the game. In this session, we will calculate this force that makes one team win and one team lose. We will learn about it in terms of balanced force and unbalanced force. Explanation: Force Force is an external effort that may move a […]