Light: Mirrors and Lenses | Class 8 Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 2 min read
Light: Mirrors and Lenses – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Light: Mirrors and Lenses from Class 8 Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
10.2 What Are the Characteristics of Images Formed by Spherical Mirrors?
The characteristics of images formed by spherical mirrors depend on the type of mirror and the distance of the object from the mirror. In a concave mirror, when an object is placed close to the mirror, the image formed is erect and larger than the object (enlarged). As the object moves farther away, the image becomes inverted and its size changes, first enlarged then smaller. This shows that concave mirrors can form both erect and inverted images of varying sizes. In contrast, a convex mirror always forms an erect and diminished (smaller) image regardless of the object's distance. The size of the image formed by a convex mirror decreases slightly as the object moves away. These behaviors differ from plane mirrors, which always form erect images of the same size as the object. Lateral inversion (left-right reversal) occurs in images formed by all three types of mirrors. Practical applications of these properties include the use of concave mirrors in torches and dental mirrors for magnified views, and convex mirrors as side-view mirrors on vehicles, road safety mirrors, and surveillance mirrors due to their ability to provide a wide field of view with diminished images. Understanding these characteristics helps in identifying mirror types by observing image properties and explains their usage in daily life.
📊 Diagram: Figure 10.5 shows an object placed at small and large distances from concave and convex mirrors, illustrating changes in image size and orientation. Figure 10.6a shows a concave mirror used as a torch reflector, and Figure 10.6b shows a dental mirror. Figures 10.7a, 10.7b, and 10.7c depict convex mirrors used as side-view mirrors, road safety mirrors, and surveillance mirrors respectively.
🧪 Activity: Activity 10.3: Observing images formed by concave and convex mirrors at different object distances to note changes in size and orientation.
🔗 Connection: Leads to understanding the laws of reflection that govern image formation.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of spherical mirror has its reflecting surface curved inward, resembling the inner surface of a hollow glass sphere?
Concave mirror
When you look at the inner side of a shiny metallic spoon, what kind of image do you observe?
Inverted and enlarged image
What is the shape of the reflecting surface of a convex mirror?
Curved outward
How are spherical mirrors made if they are not sliced from a hollow glass sphere?
Spherical mirrors are made by grinding and polishing a flat glass piece into a curved surface and then applying a reflective coating on it.
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- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.
- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.
- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.