Light: Reflection
and Refraction
Complete chapter resources for CBSE Class 10 Science — topic breakdown, key formulas, sample questions, previous year board questions, and instant AI question paper generation.
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- Mirror formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u
- Magnification (mirror): m = −v / u = h' / h
- Snell's Law: n = sin i / sin r
- Lens formula: 1/f = 1/v − 1/u
- Lens power: P = 1 / f(m) [unit: dioptre D]
- Refractive index: n = c / v
What this chapter covers
Light: Reflection and Refraction is one of the highest-weightage chapters in CBSE Class 10 Science. It begins with the nature of light and the laws of reflection — angle of incidence equals angle of reflection — and applies them to spherical mirrors (concave and convex). Students learn to draw ray diagrams, locate images for different object positions, and calculate image distance, object distance, and focal length using the mirror formula (1/f = 1/v + 1/u) along with the New Cartesian Sign Convention.
The second half of the chapter deals with refraction of light — the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed. Snell's Law (n = sin i / sin r) and the concept of refractive index are central here. The chapter then extends refraction to spherical lenses (convex and concave), covering the lens formula (1/f = 1/v − 1/u), magnification, and the power of a lens measured in dioptres. Common daily-life phenomena such as the apparent depth of a pool, a pencil appearing bent in water, and the functioning of the human eye are explained using these principles.
Board questions on this chapter consistently include numerical problems using mirror and lens formulas, ray diagram drawing (typically 2–3 marks), and short-answer questions on sign convention, power of lenses, and refractive index. Students who master the sign convention and can construct accurate ray diagrams for all standard object positions typically secure full marks in this chapter.
What's inside Chapter 10
As per NCERT Class 10 Science (CBSE syllabus)
How this chapter fits in
Useful for setting question difficulty and cross-chapter papers.
Reflection &
Refraction
Marks & question-type breakdown
Typical pattern based on CBSE Class 10 Science board papers from the last five years.
| Question type | Marks | Typical count | What's usually tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ / Assertion–Reason | 1 | 1–2 | Nature of image, sign convention, power of lens, refractive index comparison |
| Very Short Answer | 2 | 1 | Define terms, state laws of reflection/refraction, or a short numerical |
| Short Answer (Numerical / Diagram) | 3 | 1 | Mirror or lens formula numerical, or ray diagram with one standard object position |
| Long Answer / Case-Based | 4–5 | 1 | Multi-part: ray diagram + numerical + explain a phenomenon (e.g. apparent depth, power of combination) |
| Total (approximate) | 5–7 | 4–5 | Weightage varies across paper sets and years |
8 sample questions — generated by MarksZen AI
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From CBSE board examinations
Actual questions from past Class 10 Science board papers — Light: Reflection and Refraction chapter.
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- All 5 topics of this chapter
- MCQ + numericals + diagram-based questions
- Answer key included
- PDF export ready