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Reflection of light — KCSE Physics

KCSE Physics · 117 practice questions · 9 syllabus objectives

39 easy39 medium39 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

State applications of concave, convex, and parabolic mirrors; explain suitability for different uses

State the laws of reflection and apply them to construct ray diagrams for plane mirrors

Describe the properties of images formed by plane mirrors (virtual, upright, same size, laterally inverted)

Describe uses of plane mirrors in periscopes, kaleidoscopes and rear-view mirrors

Define principal focus, centre of curvature, focal plane, principal axis, radius of curvature; distinguish real and virtual images

Draw ray diagrams for concave and convex mirrors to locate images and state characteristics

Apply the mirror formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v and magnification m = v/u to solve problems; determine focal length from graphs

Describe experiments to determine centre of curvature and focal length of a concave mirror

Reflection of light

Sample Questions

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1
easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

An object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror and the image formed is located 15 cm behind the mirror. Calculate the focal length of the mirror using the mirror formula. [3 marks]

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Part (a) — 3 marks
Using the mirror formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v where u = -30 cm and v = 15 cm (1 mk)
Substituting values: 1/f = 1/(-30) + 1/15 (1 mk)
Calculating gives f = -10 cm (indicating a concave mirror) (1 mk)
2
easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

State three characteristics of the image formed by a convex mirror when an object is placed in front of it. (3 marks)

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Part (a) — 3 marks
The image is virtual (cannot be projected on a screen) (1 mk)
The image is upright (same orientation as the object) (1 mk)
The image is diminished (smaller than the object) (1 mk)
3
easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Identify and define the following terms related to curved mirrors: (a) Principal focus (1 mark) (b) Focal plane (1 mark) (c) Radius of curvature (1 mark) (d) Centre of curvature (1 mark)

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Part (a) — 1 mark
The point on the principal axis where parallel rays converge after reflection in a concave mirror (1 mk)
Part (b) — 1 mark
The plane that is perpendicular to the principal axis and passes through the principal focus (1 mk)
Part (c) — 1 mark
The distance from the pole of the mirror to the centre of curvature (1 mk)
Part (d) — 1 mark
The centre of the sphere from which the mirror is a segment (1 mk)
4

Define how plane mirrors are used in rear-view mirrors of vehicles and state three characteristics of the images they produce. [4 marks]

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