Class 7 Science · Chapter 11

11. Light: Shadows and Reflections

Complete solutions to Let Us Enhance Our Learning. CBSE / NCERT Class 7 Science (Curiosity).

Advertisement

Let Us Enhance Our Learning

1Which of the following are luminous objects? Mars, Moon, Pole Star, Sun, Venus, Mirror

Luminous objects: Pole Star Sun

They give out their own light. Mars, Moon and Venus only reflect the light of the Sun. A mirror only reflects light.

2Match the items in Column A with those in Column B.
Column AColumn B
Pinhole cameraForms an inverted image
Opaque objectBlocks light completely
Transparent objectLight passes almost completely through it
ShadowThe dark region formed behind the object
3Sahil, Rekha, Patrick and Qasima are trying to observe the candle flame through the pipe as shown in Fig. 11.16. Who can see the flame?

Rekha can see the flame.

Light travels in a straight line. Only Rekha’s pipe is straight from the candle to her eye. The other pipes are bent.

4Look at the images in Fig. 11.17 and select the correct image showing the shadow formation of the boy.

Correct image: (d)

A shadow is always formed on the side opposite to the source of light. In (d), the Sun is towards the right, and the shadow falls towards the left.

5The shadow of a ball is formed on a wall by a fixed torch. In scenario (i) the ball is closer to the torch, while in scenario (ii) the ball is closer to the wall. Choose the most accurate representation of the shadows (a and b).
  • Scenario (i), ball near the torch: (b) — larger shadow.
  • Scenario (ii), ball near the wall: (a) — smaller shadow.

When the object is closer to the source of light, it blocks more light. So the shadow is larger.

6Based on Fig. 11.18, match the position of the torch in Column A with the characteristics of the ball’s shadow in Column B.
Column AColumn B
If the torch is close to the ballThe shadow would be larger
If the torch is far awayThe shadow would be smaller
If the ball is removed from the set-upA bright spot would appear on the screen
If two torches are present on the left side of the ballTwo shadows would appear on the screen

Advertisement

7Suppose you view the tree shown in Fig. 11.19 through a pinhole camera. Sketch the outline of the image of the tree formed in the pinhole camera.

A pinhole camera forms an inverted (upside-down) image. The trunk appears at the top and the leafy top appears at the bottom.

Tree (object) Image on the screen

The image of the tree in a pinhole camera is upside down.

8Write your name on a piece of paper and hold it in front of a plane mirror. Sketch the image. What difference do you notice? Explain the reason.
RAVI RAVI Name on paper Mirror Image in the mirror

Example: the name RAVI and its image in a plane mirror.

The letters appear reversed from left to right. The name reads backwards in the mirror.

This happens because the image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted. The left side of the object appears as the right side in the image, and the right side appears as the left.

9Measure the length of your shadow at 9 AM, 12 PM and 4 PM. (i) At which of the given times is your shadow the shortest? (ii) Why do you think this happens?

(i) The shadow is shortest at 12 PM (noon).

(ii) At noon, the Sun is almost overhead. Light falls nearly straight down on us, so the shadow is short. In the morning and evening, the Sun is low in the sky. Light falls at a slant, so the shadow is long.

10Statement A: Image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted. Statement B: Images of alphabets T and O appear identical to themselves in a plane mirror. Choose the correct option.

Answer: (i) Both statements are true

T and O are the same on their left and right sides. So even after lateral inversion, their images look the same.

11Suppose you are given a tube of the shape shown in Fig. 11.20 and two plane mirrors smaller than the diameter of the tube. Can this tube be used to make a periscope? If yes, mark where you will fix the plane mirrors.

Yes, it can be used to make a periscope.

Fix one mirror at each bend (corner) of the tube. Each mirror should be at an angle of 45°, and the two mirrors should face each other.

Light enters To the eye Mirror 1 Mirror 2 Both mirrors at 45°, facing each other

Position of the two plane mirrors in the tube.

Light entering the top opening is reflected down by Mirror 1. Mirror 2 reflects it out through the lower opening to the eye.

12We do not see the shadow of a bird flying high in the sky on the ground. However, the shadow is seen when the bird swoops near the ground. Explain why.
  • The bird is very small compared to the Sun, which is a very big source of light.
  • When the bird is high up, light from different parts of the Sun reaches the ground around the bird from all sides. The shadow becomes very faint and is not seen.
  • When the bird comes near the ground, it blocks light from reaching a small area just below it. So a clear, dark shadow is formed.

Exploratory Projects