NCERT Class 8 Science Curiosity: Chapter 10 — Light: Mirrors and Lenses
This chapter, "Light: Mirrors and Lenses" from NCERT's Class 8 Science Curiosity textbook, introduces students to the fascinating world of curved mirrors. It begins with intriguing questions about image formation and real-world examples like vehicle side-view mirrors and reading glasses. Through an activity using a shiny metallic spoon, students explore how inner and outer curved surfaces form different types of images – inverted and erect but smaller, respectively. The chapter defines spherical mirrors as a common type of curved mirror, shaped from a part of a hollow glass sphere. It aims to build foundational understanding of optics, preparing students for more complex concepts in light and vision, crucial for CBSE science learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 10 — Light: Mirrors and Lenses |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 305 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the difference between plane mirrors and curved mirrors.
- Identify and describe the characteristics of images formed by the inner and outer surfaces of a curved mirror (like a spoon).
- Define spherical mirrors as a type of curved mirror.
- Appreciate the role of mirrors in everyday life through introductory questions.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Spherical mirrors | Mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are spherical, shaped like a part of a hollow glass sphere. |
| Plane mirror | A flat mirror that forms an erect, virtual image of the same size as the object. |
| Image | A representation of an object formed by reflection or refraction of light. |
| Erect image | An image that is upright, oriented in the same direction as the object. |
| Inverted image | An image that is upside down relative to the object. |
| Enlarged image | An image that is larger than the object. |
| Diminished image | An image that is smaller than the object. |
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Practice questions
- What is the difference between the image seen in the inner curved surface of a spoon and the outer curved surface? Answer: The inner curved surface typically forms an inverted image, while the outer curved surface forms an erect but smaller image.
- What are spherical mirrors? Answer: Spherical mirrors are curved mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are spherical, shaped like a part of a hollow glass sphere.
- Give an example of a curved mirror mentioned in the chapter. Answer: A shiny metallic spoon is used as an example of a curved mirror.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of NCERT Class 8 Science Chapter 10?
Chapter 10 of NCERT Class 8 Science, 'Light: Mirrors and Lenses', introduces spherical mirrors and how they form images.
What is a spherical mirror?
A spherical mirror is a type of curved mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a hollow glass sphere.
How does the inner surface of a spoon act as a mirror?
The inner, inward-curving surface of a shiny metallic spoon acts as a concave mirror, often forming an inverted image.
How does the outer surface of a spoon act as a mirror?
The outer, outward-bulging surface of a shiny metallic spoon acts as a convex mirror, typically forming an erect and diminished image.
What kind of images can curved mirrors form?
Curved mirrors can form images that are enlarged, diminished, erect, or inverted, depending on the type of mirror and object position.
Where can we see examples of curved mirrors?
Examples include side-view mirrors on vehicles and some reading glasses, as hinted at by the introductory questions.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 10 — Light: Mirrors and Lenses. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.