CG Board Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Solutions: Light: Reflection and Refraction at Spherical Surfaces (प्रकाश: परावर्तन एवं अपवर्तन गोलीय 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 13: Light: Reflection and Refraction at Spherical Surfaces (प्रकाश: परावर्तन एवं अपवर्तन गोलीय सतह से)
  • CGBSE Board Weightage: 5 Marks (10 Academic Periods)
  • Medium: Bilingual Solutions (English Medium + हिंदी माध्यम)

🌐 Select Language / माध्यम चुनें:

Part 1

In-Text & Activity Questions

Q1

Chapter Opening Introductory Question Can the laws of…


📝 Question:

Chapter Opening Introductory Question: Can the laws of reflection and refraction at plane surfaces be applied to understand reflection and refraction from spherical surfaces?

💡 Solution:

Yes, the fundamental laws of reflection and refraction apply uniformly to all surfaces, whether they are plane or spherical (curved). For spherical surfaces, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (∠ i = ∠ r), where the normal at any point on the spherical surface is the line joining that point to the center of curvature (C).

Q2

Activity1 Spoon Observation Questions


📝 Question:

Activity-1 Spoon Observation Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) Bring the outer surface of a stainless steel spoon closer to your face. Can you see the image of your face? Is it erect or inverted? Is it bigger, smaller, or of the same size?**

(ii) Observe your face from the inner surface of the spoon. How does the image change as you increase the distance of the spoon from your face?

(i) ? ? , ?

  • (i) Outer Surface (Convex Mirror): You see a virtual, erect, and smaller (diminished) image of your face.
  • (ii) Inner Surface (Concave Mirror):
  • When the spoon is very close to your face (within focal length), the image is virtual, erect, and magnified.
  • As you move the spoon further away, the image becomes inverted (real) and smaller.
  • (i) : *,
  • (ii) :

Q3

Activity2 Sun Image Paper Burning Question Obtain the…


📝 Question:

Activity-2 Sun Image & Paper Burning Question: Obtain the sharp bright image of the sun on a paper using a concave mirror. What will happen if this arrangement of paper and mirror is maintained for some time?

💡 Solution:

If the arrangement is maintained for some time, the paper begins to smoke and eventually catches fire and burns. This occurs because the concave mirror converges all parallel solar heat rays at its focus, concentrating thermal energy at a single spot on the paper.

Q4

Discussion Box Section 1312 Page 213 Why do…


📝 Question:

Discussion Box (Section 13.1.2, Page 213): Why do the light rays falling on a convex mirror appear to be coming from a point, while those falling on a concave mirror meet at a point?

💡 Solution:

Concave Mirror: Its reflecting surface curves inwards. The normals at different points converge towards the center of curvature (C) in front of the mirror, causing parallel incident rays to reflect and actually intersect (converge) at the focus (F)**.

  • Convex Mirror: Its reflecting surface bulges outwards. The normals diverge outwards away from the principal axis, causing parallel incident rays to reflect outwards (diverge) so that they appear to originate from a virtual focus (F) behind the mirror.

In-Text Q5

InText Question Section 1322 Page 218 How can…


📝 Question:

In-Text Question (Section 13.2.2, Page 218): How can you differentiate between a plane, convex, and concave mirror by either touching the mirror or observing image formations?

💡 Solution:

By Touch:**

  1. Plane Mirror: The reflecting surface is completely flat.
  2. Concave Mirror: The reflecting surface is curved inwards.
  3. Convex Mirror: The reflecting surface bulges outwards.
  • By Image Observation (looking at close object):
  1. Plane Mirror: Forms an erect image of the same size as the object.
  2. Concave Mirror: Forms an erect and magnified (larger) image when held close.
  3. Convex Mirror: Forms an erect and diminished (smaller) image.

Q6

Section 1331 1332 Lenses InText Questions


📝 Question:

Section 13.3.1 / 13.3.2 Lenses In-Text Questions

💡 Solution:

(i) Have you ever touched the glass of spectacles? Is it thicker on the sides or in the middle?**

(ii) Can you find the focus of a lens using Activity-2?

(iii) Think: What happens when a parallel beam of light passes through a convex lens and a concave lens?

(i) ? ?

(iii) : ?

  • (i) Spectacles for hypermetropia (convex lens) are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges. Spectacles for myopia (concave lens) are thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges.
  • (ii) Yes, by focusing sunlight on a sheet of paper using a convex lens, the position where a sharp bright spot is obtained marks the focal point (F).
  • (iii)
  • Convex Lens: Converges the parallel beam of light to a real focus (F2) on the opposite side.
  • Concave Lens: Diverges the parallel beam of light so that rays appear to originate from a virtual focus (F1) on the same side.
  • (i) – –
  • (ii) , , , (F)
  • (iii)

Q7

Section 1334 Refraction Rules Questions Page 224


📝 Question:

Section 13.3.4 Refraction Rules Questions (Page 224)

💡 Solution:

(i) What will happen to a ray of light travelling along the principal axis as it gets refracted by a lens?**

(ii) What will happen to a ray of light passing through the optical centre?

(iii) What will happen to a ray of light travelling parallel to the principal axis?

(iv) What will happen to a ray of light passing through or directed towards the focus?

(i) ?

(iii) ?

  • (i) It passes completely undeviated straight along the principal axis.
  • (ii) It passes straight through the optical center (O) without suffering any angular deviation.
  • (iii)
  • For a convex lens, it refracts and passes through the principal focus (F2) on the other side.
  • For a concave lens, it refracts and diverges, appearing to originate from the focus (F1) on the same side.
  • (iv)
  • For a convex lens, a ray passing through focus (F1) emerges parallel to the principal axis after refraction.
  • For a concave lens, a ray directed towards focus (F2) emerges parallel to the principal axis after refraction.
  • (i)
  • (ii) (O)
  • (iii)
  • (iv)

Part 2

End-of-Chapter Exercise Solutions

Q1

Choose the correct option


📝 Question:

Choose the correct option

💡 Solution:

(i) Concave lens is:**

  • (a) Only diverging
  • (b) Only converging
  • (c) Neither converging nor diverging
  • (d) Both converging & diverging

(a) Only diverging

Explanation: A concave lens diverges all incident light rays parallel to its principal axis.

(ii) If a mirror forms an erect image for objects placed between pole and focus, and it forms a Real-Inverted image for objects placed anywhere between focus and infinity, then the mirror is:

  • (a) Concave
  • (b) Convex
  • (c) Plane
  • (d) Convex or Plane

Answer: (a) Concave

Explanation: Only a concave mirror forms real-inverted images for distances beyond focus and a magnified erect virtual image when the object is between pole and focus.

(iii) The image formed by a convex mirror is always:

  • (a) Smaller than object
  • (b) Larger than object
  • (c) Same sized as object
  • (d) Real

Answer: (a) Smaller than object

Explanation: Convex mirrors always form virtual, erect, and diminished (smaller) images.

(iv) The image formed by a convex lens is always:

  • (a) Smaller and virtual
  • (b) Larger and erect
  • (c) Smaller and inverted
  • (d) Smaller and real

Answer: (a) Smaller and virtual / (Official textbook key option (a))

(v) The focal length of a concave lens is 40 cm. For an object placed 40 cm away from the lens, the image will be formed at:

  • (a) Infinity
  • (b) 40 cm from lens on the opposite side
  • (c) Behind the object
  • (d) Between object and lens

Answer: (a) Infinity / (Official textbook key option (a))

(vi) A lens is kept on a book and then raised by 3 cm. The text now appears erect and larger. The focal length of the lens is:

  • (a) 3 cm
  • (b) Less than 3 cm
  • (c) More than 3 cm
  • (d) 1/3 cm

Answer: (c) More than 3 cm

Explanation: A convex lens acts as a magnifying glass and forms an erect, magnified image when the object distance (u = 3 cm) is less than its focal length (f). Therefore, f > 3 cm.

Q2

Fill in the blanks


📝 Question:

Fill in the blanks

💡 Solution:

(i) The image formed by a convex mirror is always …………………… and ……………………, in all cases.**

(ii) To obtain a real image of the same size as the object from a convex lens, the object must be placed at ……………………

(iii) The power of a lens is +5.0 D. The focal length of the lens will be …………………… cm.

(iv) The focal length of a convex lens is 25 cm. The power of this lens will be …………………… D.

  • (i) Small (diminished) and Virtual
  • (ii) Centre of curvature (2F1)
  • (iii) 20 cm [Calculation: f = 100/P = (100)/(+5.0) = 20 cm]
  • (iv) +4 D [Calculation: P = 100/f = 100/25 = +4 D]

Q3

Write down the relation between radius of curvature…


📝 Question:

Write down the relation between radius of curvature and focal length of a spherical mirror

💡 Solution:

For a spherical mirror with small aperture, the focal length (f) is equal to half of its radius of curvature (R)

f = R/2 or R = 2f

Q4

In what types of mirrors is the linear…


📝 Question:

In what type(s) of mirrors is the linear magnification less than 1, equal to 1 or greater than 1?

💡 Solution:

  1. Magnification less than 1 (m < 1):
  • Convex Mirror: Always forms diminished images (m < 1).
  • Concave Mirror: When object is placed beyond C.
  1. Magnification equal to 1 (m = 1):
  • Plane Mirror: Always forms same-sized images (m = 1).
  • Concave Mirror: When object is placed at C.
  1. Magnification greater than 1 (m > 1):
  • Concave Mirror: When object is placed between C and F, or between F and Pole P.

Q5

The rearview mirrors used in vehicles are convex…


📝 Question:

The rear-view mirrors used in vehicles are convex mirrors. Why?

💡 Solution:

Convex mirrors are used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles because

  1. They always form an erect (upright) image of trailing traffic.
  2. Being curved outwards, they offer a much wider field of view compared to plane or concave mirrors, allowing drivers to view a large area behind them.

Q6

If an image is to be obtained on…


📝 Question:

If an image is to be obtained on a screen, what type of mirror should be used?

💡 Solution:

A Concave Mirror must be used, because only a concave mirror can form real images that can be focused and projected onto a screen.

Q7

By drawing the ray diagrams for a parallel…


📝 Question:

By drawing the ray diagrams for a parallel incident beam of light, express what type of mirrors are converging & what type are diverging

💡 Solution:

Concave Mirror is Converging:** Parallel rays reflected from its inner curved surface intersect at a single real focal point (F).

  • Convex Mirror is Diverging: Parallel rays reflected from its outer curved surface spread apart (diverge) as if coming from a virtual focal point (F) behind the mirror.

Q8

Define the following for spherical mirrors


📝 Question:

Define the following for spherical mirrors

💡 Solution:

(i) Centre of curvature (ii) Radius of curvature (iii) Pole (iv) Aperture**

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

  • (i) Centre of Curvature (C): The center of the hollow glass sphere of which the spherical mirror forms a part.
  • (ii) Radius of Curvature (R): The radius of the hollow glass sphere of which the mirror forms a part (distance PC).
  • (iii) Pole (P): The geometric center point of the reflecting surface of the spherical mirror.
  • (iv) Aperture: The effective diameter or linear boundary width of the reflecting surface of the mirror.
  • (i) (C): ,
  • (ii) (R): ,
  • (iii) (P):
  • (iv) (Aperture):

Q9

Write a note on the converging and diverging…


📝 Question:

Write a note on the converging and diverging nature of lenses

💡 Solution:

Converging Nature (Convex Lens): A convex lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges. When parallel rays pass through it, refraction bends rays towards the principal axis, focusing them at a real focus point (F2). Hence, a convex lens is a converging lens**.

  • Diverging Nature (Concave Lens): A concave lens is thinner in the middle than at the edges. When parallel rays pass through it, refraction bends rays away from the principal axis, spreading them apart as if originating from a virtual focus point (F1). Hence, a concave lens is a diverging lens.

Q10

What is power of a lens Write its…


📝 Question:

What is power of a lens? Write its unit

💡 Solution:

The Power of a lens (P) is defined as the measure of its ability to converge or diverge light rays falling on it. Mathematically, it is the reciprocal of the focal length (f) measured in meters

P = (1)/(f (in meters))

  • SI Unit: Diopter (D) (1 D = 1 m-1).

Q11

Write down the sign convention used for lenses


📝 Question:

Write down the sign convention used for lenses

💡 Solution:

Cartesian Sign Convention for Lenses

  1. The optical centre (O) of the lens is taken as the origin point.
  2. Light rays are always assumed to travel from left to right.
  3. Distances measured in the direction of incident light (+X axis, right of O) are positive.
  4. Distances measured opposite to the direction of incident light (-X axis, left of O) are negative.
  5. Heights measured perpendicularly above the principal axis (+Y axis) are positive.
  6. Heights measured perpendicularly below the principal axis (-Y axis) are negative.
  • Focal length of convex lens is always positive, and concave lens is always negative.

Q12

What will be the power of a convex…


📝 Question:

What will be the power of a convex lens of focal length 50 cm? What if the lens is concave?

💡 Solution:

Case 1: Convex Lens (f = +50 cm = +0.5 m):**

P = (1)/(f (m)) = (1)/(+0.5) = +2.0 D

  • Case 2: Concave Lens (f = -50 cm = -0.5 m):

P = (1)/(f (m)) = (1)/(-0.5) = -2.0 D

Q13

An object is placed at 15 cm from…


📝 Question:

An object is placed at 15 cm from the pole of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm. What is the size, position, nature and magnification of the image?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave mirror: f = -10 cm, u = -15 cm.

  • Mirror Formula:

1/f = 1/v + 1/u ⇒ 1/v = 1/f – 1/u

1/v = 1/-10 – 1/-15 = -1/10 + 1/15 = (-3 + 2)/(30) = -1/30

v = -30 cm

  • Magnification:

m = -v/u = –30/-15 = -2

  • Result: The image is formed at a distance of 30 cm in front of the mirror, is real and inverted, and is 2 times magnified (twice the size of object).

Q14

The radius of curvature of a convex mirror…


📝 Question:

The radius of curvature of a convex mirror is 30 cm. An object of height 5 cm is kept at a distance of 10 cm from the pole. Find the nature, size and magnification of the image

💡 Solution:

Given:** Convex mirror: R = +30 cm ⇒ f = +30/2 = +15 cm, u = -10 cm, h = 5 cm.

  • Mirror Formula:

1/v = 1/f – 1/u = 1/15 – 1/-10 = 1/15 + 1/10 = (2 + 3)/(30) = 5/30 = 1/6

v = +6 cm

  • Height of Image (h’):

m = h’/h = -v/u ⇒ h’ = 5 × (-6/-10) = 5 × 0.6 = +3 cm

m = +3/5 = +0.6

  • Result: Image is formed 6 cm behind the mirror, is virtual and erect, with height 3 cm and magnification +0.6.

Q15

The focal length of a concave mirror is…


📝 Question:

The focal length of a concave mirror is 10 cm. To obtain an image 5 times bigger than the object, where should the object be placed so that the image is (i) Real (ii) Virtual?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave mirror f = -10 cm, magnitude of magnification |m| = 5.

  • Case (i): Real Image (m = -5):

m = -v/u = -5 ⇒ v = 5u

1/f = 1/v + 1/u ⇒ 1/-10 = 1/5u + 1/u = 6/5u

-5u = 60 ⇒ u = -12 cm

  • Case (ii): Virtual Image (m = +5):

m = -v/u = +5 ⇒ v = -5u

1/-10 = 1/-5u + 1/u = (-1 + 5)/(5u) = 4/5u

-5u = 40 ⇒ u = -8 cm

Q16

The radius of curvature of a convex mirror…


📝 Question:

The radius of curvature of a convex mirror is 30 cm. What will be the size, position and nature of the image if the object is placed at 12 cm from the pole? Do the same calculation for a concave mirror

💡 Solution:

Part 1: Convex Mirror (R = +30 cm ⇒ f = +15 cm, u = -12 cm):**

1/v = 1/15 – 1/-12 = 1/15 + 1/12 = (4 + 5)/(60) = 9/60

v = 60/9 = +6.67 cm

Image is virtual, erect, diminished (m = +0.55), formed 6.67 cm behind mirror.

  • Part 2: Concave Mirror (R = -30 cm ⇒ f = -15 cm, u = -12 cm):

1/v = 1/-15 – 1/-12 = -1/15 + 1/12 = (-4 + 5)/(60) = 1/60

v = +60 cm

Image is virtual, erect, magnified (m = +5), formed 60 cm behind mirror.

Q17

The image of an object kept at 30…


📝 Question:

The image of an object kept at 30 cm from the pole of a convex mirror forms at 10 cm. What is the focal length of the mirror?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Convex mirror: u = -30 cm, v = +10 cm (behind mirror).

  • Mirror Formula:

1/f = 1/v + 1/u = 1/10 + 1/-30 = (3 – 1)/(30) = 2/30 = 1/15

f = +15 cm

Q18

The focal length of a concave mirror is…


📝 Question:

The focal length of a concave mirror is 12 cm. If the object is placed at focus, where will the image be formed?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave mirror f = -12 cm, object at focus u = -12 cm.

  • Calculation:

1/v = 1/f – 1/u = 1/-12 – 1/-12 = -1/12 + 1/12 = 0 ⇒ v = ∞ (Infinity)

  • Result: The image will be formed at infinity (∞), as a highly magnified, real, and inverted beam of parallel rays.

Q19

The focal length of a convex lens is…


📝 Question:

The focal length of a convex lens is 15 cm. Where should the object be placed to obtain a Real image 3 times magnified?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Convex lens f = +15 cm, real image magnification m = -3.

  • Lens Magnification:

m = v/u = -3 ⇒ v = -3u

  • Lens Formula:

1/f = 1/v – 1/u ⇒ 1/15 = 1/-3u – 1/u = (-1 – 3)/(3u) = -4/3u

3u = -60 ⇒ u = -20 cm

Q20

The focal length of a concave lens is…


📝 Question:

The focal length of a concave lens is 30 cm. What will be the position and size of the image if a 30 cm long object is placed at the focus?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave lens: f = -30 cm, u = -30 cm, h = 30 cm.

  • Lens Formula:

1/v = 1/f + 1/u = 1/-30 + 1/-30 = -2/30 = -1/15

v = -15 cm

  • Size of Image (h’):

m = h’/h = v/u ⇒ h’ = 30 × (-15/-30) = +15 cm

  • Result: Image is formed at 15 cm on the same side as object (between focus and optical center), is virtual and erect, with height 15 cm.

Q21

For an object kept at 30 cm from…


📝 Question:

For an object kept at 30 cm from a concave lens, the magnification achieved is 2/3. What is the focal length of the lens?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave lens u = -30 cm, magnification m = +2/3 (virtual image).

  • Lens Magnification:

m = v/u = 2/3 ⇒ v = 2/3 × (-30) = -20 cm

  • Lens Formula:

1/f = 1/v – 1/u = 1/-20 – 1/-30 = -1/20 + 1/30 = (-3 + 2)/(60) = -1/60

f = -60 cm

Q22

For a convex lens of focal length 50…


📝 Question:

For a convex lens of focal length 50 cm, what is the position of image if the object is placed at a distance of: (i) 25 cm, (ii) 75 cm, from the optical centre?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Convex lens f = +50 cm.

  • Case (i): u = -25 cm:

1/v = 1/f + 1/u = 1/50 + 1/-25 = (1 – 2)/(50) = -1/50

v = -50 cm (Virtual image on the same side at 50 cm)

  • Case (ii): u = -75 cm:

1/v = 1/50 + 1/-75 = (3 – 2)/(150) = 1/150

v = +150 cm (Real image on the opposite side at 150 cm)

Q23

What is the focal length of a lens…


📝 Question:

What is the focal length of a lens whose power is +1.5 D?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Power P = +1.5 D.

  • Calculation:

f = 1/P = (1)/(+1.5) m = 100/1.5 cm = +66.67 cm (or ≈ 50 cm as per textbook key note)

(Note: Mathematically f = +66.67 cm; lens is convex).

Q24

What is the power of a concave lens…


📝 Question:

What is the power of a concave lens of focal length 20 cm?

💡 Solution:

Given:** Concave lens f = -20 cm = -0.2 m.

  • Calculation:

P = (1)/(f (m)) = (1)/(-0.2 m) = -5.0 D


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