LIGHT CLASS 7

  Edunes Online Education

LIGHT | CLASS VII | Real Life Applications of Light
Mathematics | Class 10 | CBSE & SEBA Board

Introductions of LIGHT | Chapter 11

Edunes Online Education
CBSE • LIGHT • CLASS 7

Chapter 11 – Light

---

11.1 Light Travels Along a Straight Line

Key Idea:
Light always travels in a straight line in a uniform medium (like air or water).

What is rectilinear propagation of light?

Rectilinear propagation of light is the property of light by which it travels in straight lines.

Think like a scientist 🧠

1. If light did not travel straight, shadows would not be sharp.
2. Objects would be visible even when blocked.

Experiments & Examples:

1. Three-cardboard experiment: Light from a candle passes through holes only when all holes are in a straight line.
2. Shadows: Shadow forms because light cannot bend around objects.
3. Eclipse: Occurs because light travels in straight lines.

Important Terms:

1. Ray: A straight-line path of light.
2. Beam: A group of rays.
3. Opaque object: Does not allow light to pass (e.g., wood).
4. Transparent object: Allows most light to pass (e.g., glass).
5. Translucent object: Allows partial light (e.g., butter paper).

---

11.2 Reflection of Light

What is reflection of light?

Reflection of light is the bouncing back of light when it strikes a surface like a mirror.

Basic Terms:

1. Incident ray: Ray falling on the mirror
2. Reflected ray: Ray bouncing back
3. Point of incidence: Point where the ray strikes
4. Normal: Imaginary line perpendicular to the mirror

Laws of Reflection:

1. Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
2. Incident ray, reflected ray and normal lie in the same plane

Object and Image:

1. Object: Source of light or thing reflecting light
2. Image: Formation due to reflection of light

Types of Images:

1. Virtual Image:
   • Cannot be obtained on a screen
   • Appears behind the mirror
   • Always erect
   • Example: Plane mirror
2. Real Image:
   • Can be obtained on a screen
   • Formed due to actual meeting of rays
   • Usually inverted
   • Example: Concave mirror

Plane Mirror Image Characteristics:

1. Virtual and erect
2. Same size as object
3. Image distance = Object distance
4. Shows lateral inversion

---

11.3 Right or Left! (Lateral Inversion)

What is lateral inversion?

Lateral inversion is the phenomenon in which the left side of an object appears as the right side in the mirror, and vice versa.

Examples:

1. The word AMBULANCE is written in reverse on vehicles.
2. Your right hand appears as left in the mirror.

Important Thinking Point:

1. Top and bottom remain the same
2. Only left and right are swapped

---

11.4 Playing with Spherical Mirrors

Definition:
Spherical mirrors are mirrors whose reflecting surface is part of a sphere.

Types of Spherical Mirrors:

1. Concave Mirror
2. Convex Mirror

Concave Mirror:

1. Reflecting surface curved inward
2. Can form real or virtual images
3. Image may be inverted or erect
4. Size may be smaller, same or larger

Uses of Concave Mirror:

1. Shaving mirrors
2. Dentist mirrors
3. Torch and vehicle headlights
4. Solar cookers

Convex Mirror:

1. Reflecting surface bulging outward
2. Always virtual
3. Always erect
4. Always smaller

Uses of Convex Mirror:

1. Rear-view mirrors in vehicles
2. Security mirrors in shops

Why used in vehicles?

1. Gives a wider field of view
2. Helps see more area behind

Real Image vs Virtual Image:

1. Real Image: Can be obtained on a screen, inverted, actual meeting of rays
2. Virtual Image: Cannot be obtained on a screen, erect, apparent meeting of rays

🧠 Memory Triggers (Exam Gold ✨)

1. Straight line → Shadow → Eclipse
2. Plane mirror → Virtual + Erect + Lateral inversion
3. Concave → Real OR Virtual
4. Convex → Always Virtual + Smaller
5. Ambulance word → Lateral inversion

WORKSHEET: CHAPTER 11 – LIGHT (Class VII)

Name: ____________    Class: VII    Date: ____________

---

SECTION A: VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

👉 Think First: Each answer should come from observing daily life.

1. Why is a shadow formed when an object is placed in the path of light?

2. Name the property of light that explains the formation of eclipses.

3. Can an image formed by a plane mirror be caught on a screen? Give reason.

4. Write one difference between a real image and a virtual image.

🧠 Recall Tip:
"If light is blocked → shadow | If light returns → image"

---

SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

👉 How to think: Explain using cause → effect.

5. State how light travels. Explain your answer using an example.

6. What is reflection of light? Why is it important for vision?

7. Define lateral inversion. Why is it useful to write “AMBULANCE” in reverse?

Hint Box:
Ask yourself: “What does the mirror actually change?”

---

SECTION C: THINKING-BASED QUESTIONS

👉 Brain Rule: Imagine the path of light rays before answering.

8. Riya stands in front of a mirror and raises her right hand. Which hand appears raised in the mirror? Explain why.

9. Why does a pinhole camera always form an inverted image?

10. Why are convex mirrors preferred as rear-view mirrors in vehicles?

🧠 Memory Trigger:
"Wide view + safety = Convex mirror"

---

SECTION D: FILL IN THE BLANKS

11. Light travels along a __________ line.

12. An image that cannot be obtained on a screen is called a __________ image.

13. A concave mirror can form both __________ and __________ images.

14. The left-right reversal in a plane mirror is called __________.

---

SECTION E: MATCH THE FOLLOWING

Match Column A with Column B:

1. Concave mirror
2. Convex mirror
3. Plane mirror
4. Pinhole camera

1. Always forms erect image
2. Used in headlights
3. Shows lateral inversion
4. Forms inverted image

---

SECTION F: APPLICATION-BASED QUESTIONS

👉 Exam Secret: CBSE loves real-life situations.

15. A dentist uses a small mirror to examine teeth. Which type of mirror is used and why?

16. Why do objects appear smaller in a convex mirror than in reality?

🧠 Final Thought:
"Mirror shape controls light → light controls image"

Chapter 11 – Light : Answer Key

---

11.1 Light Travels Along a Straight Line

Define rectilinear propagation of light.

Rectilinear propagation of light is the property by which light travels in straight lines in a uniform medium.

Why are shadows formed?

Shadows are formed because light travels in a straight line and cannot bend around opaque objects.

Explain how eclipses prove that light travels in a straight line.

Eclipses occur when one celestial body blocks light from another. This blocking is possible only because light travels in straight lines.

🧠 Examiner Tip: Mention “straight line” + “blocking of light” to score full marks.

---

11.2 Reflection of Light

What is reflection of light?

Reflection of light is the bouncing back of light when it strikes a surface such as a mirror.

State the laws of reflection.

1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
2. The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal lie in the same plane.

What is meant by an object and its image?

The object is the source or thing that reflects light, while the image is the optical appearance formed due to reflection of light.

Write two differences between real and virtual images.

1. A real image can be obtained on a screen, whereas a virtual image cannot.
2. A real image is usually inverted, while a virtual image is erect.

---

Plane Mirror

Write four characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.

1. The image is virtual and erect.
2. The image is of the same size as the object.
3. The image distance is equal to the object distance.
4. The image shows lateral inversion.

🧠 One-Line Recall: Plane mirror → V + E + Same size + Lateral inversion

---

11.3 Right or Left! (Lateral Inversion)

What is lateral inversion?

Lateral inversion is the phenomenon in which the left side of an object appears as the right side in a plane mirror and vice versa.

Why is the word AMBULANCE written in reverse on vehicles?

Due to lateral inversion in a plane mirror, the reversed word appears correct to drivers when seen through rear-view mirrors.

Key Thinking Point: Mirrors reverse left-right, not top-bottom.

---

11.4 Playing with Spherical Mirrors

What are spherical mirrors?

Spherical mirrors are mirrors whose reflecting surface is a part of a sphere.

Define concave mirror.

A concave mirror is a spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is curved inward.

Write two uses of a concave mirror.

1. Used as shaving and dentist mirrors.
2. Used in torches and vehicle headlights.

Define convex mirror.

A convex mirror is a spherical mirror whose reflecting surface bulges outward.

Why are convex mirrors used as rear-view mirrors?

Convex mirrors provide a wider field of view and always form erect, diminished images, helping drivers see more area behind.

State the nature of images formed by a convex mirror.

The image formed by a convex mirror is always virtual, erect and smaller than the object.

---

Real Image vs Virtual Image

1. Real Image: Can be obtained on a screen and is formed by actual meeting of rays.
2. Virtual Image: Cannot be obtained on a screen and is formed by apparent meeting of rays.

🧠 Final Exam Recall:

1. Straight light → Shadow → Eclipse
2. Plane mirror → Virtual + Erect
3. Concave → Real or Virtual
4. Convex → Always Virtual + Smaller

HOME BUTTONS

🏠 Content Home 🏠Edunes Home

© Edunes Online Education | Class VII | Science | Maths | English | Social Science

Prepared as per CBSE examination and NEP 2020 guidelines