Does light travel in straight line?

 The path of light gets blocked when an object covers the source of light. This is
illustrated by trying to see the flame of a candle using a straight pipe and then with a bent
pipe. This proves that light travels in a straight line.

Based on their interaction with light, objects can be classified as:

 Transparent objects allow light to pass through them completely.E.g: glass

 Translucent objects allow light to pass through them partially. E.g: Butter paper
 Opaque objects do not allow any light to pass through them. E.g: table, book, etc.

Reflection

When light is incident on a certain surface, it either gets reflected or bounces back. Such surfaces
are really well polished and act like a mirror. The phenomenon of light bouncing off surfaces is
called reflection.

To know more about Reflection of Light,

Laws of reflection

 The ray of light that strikes a reflecting surface is called as the incident ray and the ray
that gets reflected back is called the reflected ray
 The imaginary line that is perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence
is called the normal
 Angle of incidence ∠i is the angle between the incident ray and the normal. Angle of
reflection ∠r is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
 Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence ∠i is always equal to the Angle of
reflection ∠r (∠i=∠r). The angle of incidence, angle of reflection and the normal all lie
on the same plane

Images
 Rays of light from an object after reflection by a mirror tend to converge or appear to
diverge from a certain point in front of the mirror. At this point, the reproduction of the
object is called as an image.
 These images are classified as real or virtual images.
o A real image is formed by the actual convergence of light rays after reflection.
Real images can be viewed on a screen.
o A virtual image is the apparent convergence of diverging light rays after
reflection. Virtual images cannot be viewed on a screen.
 The image formed by a plane mirror is erect, virtual and is of the same size as the object.
The image is at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
Range of visibility (plane mirrors)

 An observer can only see a reflection on a plane mirror if the observer is within its range
of visibility.
 If an observer wants to see his entire image on a plane mirror, the mirror must be at least
half the height of the observer.

Lateral inversion

 An image formed by a plane mirror undergoes lateral inversion, i.e the right side of the
object appears as the left side in the image.
 That is why the word “AMBULANCE” is written backwards on ambulance vans so that
it appears in the correct order when viewed on a mirror.

Spherical mirrors

 A spherical mirror (or curved mirror) is a mirror which has the shape of a piece cut out of
a spherical surface. They are of 2 types: Concave and Convex.

Spherical mirrors whose inner side is reflecting are called concave mirrors. Spherical
mirrors whose outer side is reflecting are called convex mirrors. It's focus and centre of
curvature lies behind the mirror. ... Image formed by a convex mirror is always virtual.

Concave mirror Convex mirror

A spherical mirror whose reflecting
surface is
curved inwards is called a concave
mirror.
A spherical mirror whose reflecting
surface is curved outwards is called a
convex mirror.

 
 
A parallel beam of light falling on this A parallel beam of light falling on this
mirror converges at a point after mirror appears to diverge from a point
reflection. after reflection.
It is also called a converging mirror. It is also called a diverging mirror.
It has a real focus.
The magnification of a concave mirror
can be greater, equal or less than 1.
These mirrors are used as reflectors in
projectors, light-house headlights,
searchlights, etc.
It has a virtual focus.
The magnification of a convex mirror
is always less than 1.
These mirrors are used as rear-view
mirrors in cars and motorcycles, as
they enable the driver/rider to view the
road and vehicles behind.

Periscope

A periscope is defined as an instrument used for observing over, around or through an obstacle
or object which is prevented by direct line of sight. It consists of an outer case with mirrors at
each end at 45° angle. These mirrors are placed parallel to the surface.04-Mar-2020

A kaleidoscope (/kəˈlaɪdəskoʊp/) is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces

(or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of
the mirrors are seen as a regular symmetrical pattern when viewed from the other end, due to
repeated reflection.