CG Board Class 10 Science Chapter 10 Solutions: Light: Reflection and Refraction from Plane Surface (प्रकाश: परावर्तन तथा अपवर्तन समतल सतह से) (2026-27)

CG Board (CGBSE / SCERT Chhattisgarh) Class 10 Science Solutions | 2026-27 New Edition (English & Hindi Medium)

📚 Chapter Overview:

  • Board: Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) / CG SCERT Raipur
  • Class & Subject: Class 10 Science (विज्ञान) – 2026-27 Edition
  • Chapter 10: Light: Reflection and Refraction from Plane Surface (प्रकाश: परावर्तन तथा अपवर्तन समतल सतह से)
  • CGBSE Board Weightage: 5 Marks (9 Academic Periods)
  • Medium: Bilingual Solutions (English Medium + हिंदी माध्यम)

🌐 Select Language / माध्यम चुनें:

Part 1

In-Text & Activity Questions

Q1

Activity1 Shadow Measurements Table 1 Verification Activity Task…


📝 Question:

Activity-1 Shadow Measurements & Table 1 Verification: Activity Task: Insert a pencil in a potato and attach a pin at a height h = 10 cm below the pencil head. Observe the shadow by varying the distance between object and source (do) and object and screen (ds). Formula for shadow height: h’ = h × ds/do = 10 × ds/do cm Complete Table 1 and answer: **Did you verify the formula?

💡 Solution:

Completed Table 1:**

  1. do = 20 cm, ds = 10 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 10/20 = 5 cm
  2. do = 20 cm, ds = 20 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 20/20 = 10 cm
  3. do = 30 cm, ds = 10 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 10/30 = 3.33 cm
  4. do = 30 cm, ds = 20 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 20/30 = 6.67 cm
  5. do = 40 cm, ds = 10 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 10/40 = 2.5 cm
  6. do = 40 cm, ds = 20 cm ⇒ h’ = 10 × 20/40 = 5 cm
  • Verification Answer: Yes, the measured size of shadow on the screen matches the values calculated using the formula h’ = h × (ds / do), verifying the geometric laws of light propagation.

Q2

Section 1011 1012 Questions Effect of Mirror Rotation…


📝 Question:

Section 10.1.1 / 10.1.2 Questions (Effect of Mirror Rotation on Normal Line)

💡 Solution:

(i) If we rotate the mirror, what would be its effect on the normal line?**

(ii) If we rotate the plane mirror by 35°, then what would be the direction of normal on mirror? By how much angle will the reflected ray rotate?

(i) , ?

  • (i) Since the normal line is always perpendicular to the reflecting surface of the mirror, rotating the mirror by an angle θ causes the normal line to rotate by the exact same angle θ in the same direction.
  • (ii)
  • Rotation of normal = 35°from its original position.
  • Rotation of reflected ray = 2θ = 2 × 35°= 70°.
  • (i) , θ θ
  • (ii)

Q3

InText Solved Problem Page 161 A light ray…


📝 Question:

Question 1 (In-Text Solved Problem, Page 161): A light ray falls on a plane mirror making an angle of 52°with normal AB. Now, keeping the incident ray fixed, rotate the plane mirror by θ = 35°at the point of incidence. What will be the new angle of reflection?

💡 Solution:

Initial condition:** Angle of incidence ∠ i = 52°, so initial angle of reflection ∠ r = 52°.

  • New condition after mirror rotation by 35°:
  • New angle of incidence from new normal ∠ i’ = 52°- 35°= 17°.
  • According to the law of reflection (∠ i’ = ∠ r’), the new angle of reflection from the new normal = 17°.
  • Total angle of the new reflected ray from the original normal = 52°+ 35°- 17°= 70°= 2 × 35°.

Q4

Section 1021 Distance of Image in Plane Mirror…


📝 Question:

Section 10.2.1 Distance of Image in Plane Mirror Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) At what distance from the meter scale is your image formed?**

(ii) When you move towards the mirror where does your image move? What happens when you move away from the mirror?

(i) ?

  • (i) The image is formed behind the mirror at the exact same distance as the object is placed in front of the mirror (di = do).
  • (ii) When you move towards the mirror, your image moves closer to the mirror at the same speed. When you move away from the mirror, your image also moves further away behind the mirror.
  • (i) (di = do)
  • (ii) , ,

Q5

InText Solved Problem Page 163 If an object…


📝 Question:

Question 2 (In-Text Solved Problem, Page 163): If an object is placed at a distance of 30 cm from a plane mirror, find the total distance between the object and the image formed by the plane mirror

💡 Solution:

Given:** Distance of object from plane mirror (do) = 30 cm.

  • Distance of image behind plane mirror (di) = do = 30 cm.
  • Total distance between object and image:

Total Distance = do + di = 30 cm + 30 cm = 60 cm

Q6

Section 103 Image of Extended Object Visual Angle…


📝 Question:

Section 10.3 Image of Extended Object & Visual Angle Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) When you look at yourself in the mirror, is the height of the image same as your height?**

(ii) Hold a pencil in your hand and look at its image in the mirror. Move the pencil away from the mirror towards your eye. Why does the image look smaller?

(i) , ?

  • (i) Yes, the actual height of the image formed by a plane mirror is always equal to the height of the object.
  • (ii) Our eyes perceive the apparent size of an object based on the visual angle subtended by light rays at the eye. Bringing the pencil closer to the eye moves its virtual image further away behind the mirror, increasing the distance between the eye and the image. A greater distance subtends a smaller visual angle at the eye, making the image appear smaller.
  • (i) ,
  • (ii) (Visual angle) , ,

Q7

Discussion Box Question 3 Minimum Mirror Size Page…


📝 Question:

Discussion Box & Question 3 (Minimum Mirror Size, Page 164-165)

💡 Solution:

(i) Discussion: Discuss the properties of image formed by a plane mirror.**

(ii) Question 3: A person is 160 cm tall. What would be the minimum length of mirror required if he/she wants to see his/her full image?

(i) :

  • (i) Properties of Image formed by Plane Mirror:
  1. Virtual and erect.
  2. Same size as the object (h’ = h).
  3. Formed at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front (di = do).
  4. Laterally inverted (left appears right and vice versa).
  • (ii) Solution for Question 3:
  • Height of person = 160 cm.
  • Minimum height of plane mirror required = 1/2 × Height of person
  • Minimum mirror length = 1/2 × 160 cm = 80 cm.
  • (i) :
  • (ii) 3 :

Q8

Section 104 Multiple Reflections Questions


📝 Question:

Section 10.4 Multiple Reflections Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) Place two mirrors at right angles (90°) to each other and place a coin between them. How many images are formed?**

(ii) How many images are formed when two plane mirrors are placed at angles 30°, 45°, 60°, 120°, 180°, and parallel (0°) to each other?

(i) – (90°) ?

Formula for number of images: n = (360°)/(θ) – 1

  • (i) At 90°: n = 360/90 – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3 images.
  • (ii) For different angles:
  • At 30°: n = 360/30 – 1 = 12 – 1 = 11 images.
  • At 45°: n = 360/45 – 1 = 8 – 1 = 7 images.
  • At 60°: n = 360/60 – 1 = 6 – 1 = 5 images.
  • At 120°: n = 360/120 – 1 = 3 – 1 = 2 images.
  • At 180°: n = 360/180 – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1 image.
  • Parallel (θ = 0°): Infinite (∞) images.
  • (i) 90° : n = 360/90 – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3
  • (ii) :

Q9

Section 105 Refraction InText Activity Questions


📝 Question:

Section 10.5 Refraction In-Text & Activity Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) Why does the base of a vessel filled with water seem to be raised?**

(ii) If we use kerosene or turpentine oil instead of water, will the base be raised by the same height?

(iii) Activity-2 (Coin in bowl): Why is your friend able to see the hidden coin after water is poured?

(iv) Which side will light bend when travelling from denser to rarer medium? Which angle is greater (∠ i or ∠ r)?

(i) ?

(iii) -2: ?

  • (i) Due to refraction of light. Light rays coming from the base bend away from the normal as they enter air from water, creating a raised virtual image of the bottom.
  • (ii) No, because kerosene and turpentine have different refractive indices than water. Higher refractive index causes greater bending and different apparent height.
  • (iii) Light rays from the coin refract at the water-air surface and bend away from the normal, entering the friend’s eye and making the virtual image visible.
  • (iv) Light bends away from the normal. The angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence (∠ r > ∠ i).
  • (i) ,
  • (ii) ,
  • (iii) – ,
  • (iv) (∠ r > ∠ i)

Q10

Section 1051 Refractive Index Table 1 Completion


📝 Question:

Section 10.5.1 Refractive Index & Table 1 Completion

💡 Solution:

(i) Question 4:** If the absolute refractive index of water is 4/3, find the speed of light in water.

(ii) Complete Table 1 for speed of light: Formula v = c/n = (3 × 108)/(n) m/s.

(i) 4: 4/3 ,

  • (i) Solution to Question 4:

vw = c/nw = (3 × 108)/(4/3) = (9 × 108)/(4) = 2.25 × 108 m/s

  • (ii) Completed Table 1:
  1. Diamond (n = 2.42): 1.24 × 108 m/s
  2. Flint glass (n = 1.64): 1.83 × 108 m/s
  3. Crown glass (n = 1.52): (3 × 108)/(1.52) = 1.97 × 108 m/s
  4. Simple glass (n = 1.50): (3 × 108)/(1.50) = 2.00 × 108 m/s
  5. Water (n = 1.33): (3 × 108)/(1.33) = 2.25 × 108 m/s
  6. Ice (n = 1.31): (3 × 108)/(1.31) = 2.29 × 108 m/s
  • (i) 4 :
  • (ii) 1:

Q11

Section 1052 Think Box Question 5


📝 Question:

Section 10.5.2 Think Box & Question 5

💡 Solution:

(i) Think: Does refractive index depend on the angle of incidence?**

(ii) Question 5: If refractive index of water is 1.33 and glass is 1.5, find (w ng) refractive index of glass with respect to water and (g nw) refractive index of water with respect to glass.

(i) : ?

  • (i) No, the refractive index of a medium is a constant characteristic property determined by the speed of light in the mediums; it does not depend on the angle of incidence.
  • (ii) Solution to Question 5:
  • w ng = ng/nw = (1.5)/(1.33) = 1.13
  • g nw = nw/ng = (1.33)/(1.5) = 0.89
  • (i) , ;
  • (ii) 5 :

Q12

Section 109 Total Internal Reflection Mirage Discussion


📝 Question:

Section 10.9 Total Internal Reflection & Mirage Discussion

💡 Solution:

(i) Can you see the refracted ray when light is incident at 0°from glass to air? Is there any deviation?**

(ii) Explain how concrete roads produce a mirage on hot summer days.

(i) 0° ? ?

  • (i) Yes, the light passes straight into the air without any angular deviation (∠ r = 0°).
  • (ii) On hot days, concrete roads heat the adjacent air layer, making it optically rarer, while upper air layers remain cooler and denser. Light from sky/objects travelling downwards bends continuously away from normal until angle of incidence exceeds critical angle, undergoing Total Internal Reflection. To the observer, this reflected light appears to originate from a pool of water on the road.
  • (i) , (∠ r = 0°)
  • (ii) , ,

Part 2

End-of-Chapter Exercise Solutions

Q1

Choose the correct answer


📝 Question:

Choose the correct answer

💡 Solution:

(i) If we rotate a plane mirror by 2θ, then the reflected ray will rotate by:**

  • (a) 2θ
  • (b) 3θ
  • (c) 4θ
  • (d) θ

(c) 4θ

Explanation: Rotating a plane mirror by an angle α rotates the reflected ray by 2α. Therefore, rotating the mirror by 2θ rotates the reflected ray by 2 × (2θ) = 4θ.

(ii) What should be the minimum length of the plane mirror if a person wants to see his full image?

  • (a) One fourth of the person’s height
  • (b) One third of the person’s height
  • (c) Equal to the person’s height
  • (d) One half of the person’s height

Answer: (d) One half of the person’s height

Explanation: By the laws of reflection, light rays from head and foot require a mirror height equal to half the total height of the person.

(iii) How many images will be formed of an object kept between two mirrors making 45°with each other?

  • (a) 5
  • (b) 6
  • (c) 7
  • (d) 8

Answer: (c) 7

Explanation: Number of images n = (360°)/(θ) – 1 = (360°)/(45°) – 1 = 8 – 1 = 7.

(iv) If an object is placed at a distance of 3 cm from the mirror, then the distance between the image and the object will be:

  • (a) 4 cm
  • (b) 6 cm
  • (c) 3 cm
  • (d) 12 cm

Answer: (b) 6 cm

Explanation: Distance of image behind mirror = 3 cm. Total distance = 3 cm + 3 cm = 6 cm.

Q2

Fill in the blanks


📝 Question:

Fill in the blanks

💡 Solution:

(i) Image formed by a plane mirror is erect, virtual and ……………………**

(ii) Second law of refraction is also known as ……………………

(iii) Light ray falls normally on plane mirror; the angle of reflection will be ……………………

(iv) For …………………… light should travel from denser medium to rarer medium.

  • (i) equal to the size of the object / body
  • (ii) Snell’s law
  • (iii) Zero (0°)
  • (iv) Total Internal Reflection

Q3

What are the laws of reflection


📝 Question:

What are the laws of reflection?

💡 Solution:

  1. First Law: The angle of incidence (∠ i) is always equal to the angle of reflection (∠ r).

∠ i = ∠ r

  1. Second Law: The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.

Q4

What are the laws of refraction


📝 Question:

What are the laws of refraction?

💡 Solution:

  1. First Law: The incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal to the interface at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane.
  2. Second Law (Snell’s Law): The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence (sin i) to the sine of the angle of refraction (sin r) is constant for a given pair of media

(sin i)/(sin r) = n21 = Constant

Q5

The refractive indices of medium A and B…


📝 Question:

The refractive indices of medium A and B are n_A and n_B respectively. Total internal reflection is possible on going from which medium to which medium given that n_A > n_B?

💡 Solution:

Total internal reflection can only occur when light travels from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium. Since n_A > n_B, Medium A is denser than Medium B. Therefore, total internal reflection is possible when light travels from Medium A to Medium B.

Q6

What is total internal reflection and what are…


📝 Question:

What is total internal reflection and what are the necessary conditions for it to take place?

💡 Solution:

Definition: When a ray of light travelling from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium is incident at an angle greater than the critical angle, the light ray is completely reflected back into the denser medium. This phenomenon is called Total Internal Reflection**.

  • Necessary Conditions:
  1. Light must travel from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium.
  2. The angle of incidence in the denser medium must be greater than the critical angle (∠ i > θ_c).

Q7

Give two examples where refraction is seen in…


📝 Question:

Give two examples where refraction is seen in daily life

💡 Solution:

  1. A straight stick or pencil partially immersed in water appears bent at the water surface.
  2. A coin placed at the bottom of a water-filled vessel appears raised above its actual position.

Q8

What do you understand by critical angle


📝 Question:

What do you understand by critical angle?

💡 Solution:

The critical angle (θ_c or ic) is defined as the specific angle of incidence in an optically denser medium for which the corresponding angle of refraction in the rarer medium is 90°(∠ r = 90°).

Q9

Light travels from air to a glass slab…


📝 Question:

Light travels from air to a glass slab having a refractive index of 1.50. What will be the speed of light in glass? (Speed of light in vacuum is 3 × 108 m/s)

💡 Solution:

Given:** c = 3 × 108 m/s, Refractive index of glass ng = 1.50.

  • Formula: ng = c/vg ⇒ vg = c/ng
  • Calculation:

vg = (3 × 108)/(1.50) = 2 × 108 m/s

Q10

Refractive index of diamond is 242 Explain this…


📝 Question:

Refractive index of diamond is 2.42. Explain this statement

💡 Solution:

The statement that the refractive index of diamond is 2.42 means that the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in diamond is 2.42. In other words, light travels 2.42 times slower in diamond than in vacuum (vdiamond = (c)/(2.42) ≈ 1.24 × 108 m/s).

Q11

A light ray travelling in the air enters…


📝 Question:

A light ray travelling in the air enters the ice. Will the light ray move away from the normal or towards the normal? Why?

💡 Solution:

The light ray will bend towards the normal. This is because ice is an optically denser medium (n = 1.31) compared to air (n = 1.0003). When light travels from an optically rarer medium to a denser medium, its speed decreases, causing it to bend towards the normal line.

Q12

If we increase the distance between the mirror…


📝 Question:

If we increase the distance between the mirror and the object, what would be the effect on the distance between the image and the object?

💡 Solution:

If the distance between the mirror and the object (do) is increased by x, the distance between the image and the mirror (di) also increases by x. Consequently, the total distance between the object and the image (do + di = 2do) will increase by 2x (double the distance).

Q13

What is the difference between virtual image and…


📝 Question:

What is the difference between virtual image and real image?

💡 Solution:

Q14

What is the difference between absolute refractive index…


📝 Question:

What is the difference between absolute refractive index of a medium and relative refractive index of two mediums? What is the relation between them?

💡 Solution:

Absolute Refractive Index (n):** Ratio of speed of light in vacuum (c) to speed of light in that medium (v): n = c / v.

  • Relative Refractive Index (n21): Ratio of speed of light in Medium 1 (v1) to speed of light in Medium 2 (v2): n21 = v1 / v2.
  • Relation: The relative refractive index of Medium 2 with respect to Medium 1 is equal to the ratio of absolute refractive index of Medium 2 to that of Medium 1

n21 = n2/n1

Q15

What is the principle of reversibility


📝 Question:

What is the principle of reversibility?

💡 Solution:

The Principle of Reversibility states that if the path of a light ray travelling through multiple media is reversed at any point, the ray retraces its entire path in the exact opposite direction.

Mathematically: {}_1n2 × {}_2n1 = 1 ⇒ {}_1n2 = frac{1}{{}_2n1}

Q16

State the reasons for the following


📝 Question:

State the reasons for the following

💡 Solution:

(i) The position of a fish in a pond is not the same as it is observed from outside.**

(ii) An air bubble shines in water.

(iii) Mirage is an illusion.

(i)

(iii)

  • (i) Light rays from the fish travel from water (denser) to air (rarer) and bend away from the normal. When these rays enter the eye, they form a raised virtual image, making the fish appear shallower than its actual depth.
  • (ii) Light travelling in water enters the air inside the bubble at an angle greater than the critical angle for water-air interface (48.6°), undergoing Total Internal Reflection and making the bubble shine like silver.
  • (iii) On hot days, ground air gets heated and rarer while upper air remains dense. Light from distant objects continuously refracts and undergoes Total Internal Reflection from hot ground air, forming an inverted virtual image that creates the illusion of water.
  • (i) ,
  • (ii) (48.6°) ,
  • (iii) ,

Q17

Prove that the length of the mirror required…


📝 Question:

Prove that the length of the mirror required to view the complete image of an object is half of the height of the object

💡 Solution:

Let H be the head, E be the eye, and F be the feet of a person of height HF. Light from head H reflects at point P into eye E, and light from feet F reflects at point Q into eye E.

  1. Normal PR bisects HE: RE = 1/2 HE.
  2. Normal QS bisects EF: ES = 1/2 EF.
  3. Total required mirror length PQ

PQ = RS = RE + ES = 1/2 HE + 1/2 EF = 1/2 (HE + EF) = 1/2 HF

Thus, the minimum mirror length PQ = 1/2 × Height of person.

Q18

What do you mean by refraction of light…


📝 Question:

What do you mean by refraction of light? How is it different from reflection of light?

💡 Solution:

Refraction:** The bending of a light ray from its straight path when it passes obliquely from one transparent medium to another due to change in speed.

  • Difference:
  • Reflection: Light bounces back into the same medium from a polished surface without changing speed.
  • Refraction: Light passes into a second transparent medium with a change in speed and direction.

Q19

If the absolute refractive index of glass is…


📝 Question:

If the absolute refractive index of glass is 3/2 and that of water is 5/4, then find the ratio of speed of light in water to that in glass

💡 Solution:

Given:** ng = 3/2, nw = 5/4.

  • Speed of light in water vw = c/nw, Speed of light in glass vg = c/ng.
  • Ratio of speed of light in water to glass:

vw/vg = (c / nw)/(c / ng) = ng/nw = 3/2/5/4 = 3/2 × 4/5 = 12/10 = 1.2

Q20

A fish seems to be at a depth…


📝 Question:

A fish seems to be at a depth of 75 cm from the surface. What is its actual distance from the surface? (Refractive index of water is 1.33)

💡 Solution:

Given:** Apparent depth (h) = 75 cm, Refractive index of water (n) = 1.33 = 4/3.

  • Formula:

n = (Actual Depth (H))/(Apparent Depth (h))

  • Calculation:

H = n × h = 1.33 × 75 = 4/3 × 75 = 100 cm


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