NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflections

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflections

Vishal kumarUpdated on 11 Aug 2025, 10:41 PM IST

Imagine looking into a still pond and seeing your face staring back at you — that’s reflection in action. Chapter 11 of Class 7 Science – Light: Shadows and Reflections dives into how light enables us to view the world around us and form images. This chapter explains the fascinating journey of light, the science behind shadows, and the working of simple devices like the pinhole camera and periscope in a clear, easy-to-understand manner.

This Story also Contains

  1. NCERT Solutions Light: Shadows and Reflections Class 7: Exercise Questions
  2. NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11: Topics
  3. Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11
  4. Approach to solve the Class 7 Science Chapter 11 light
  5. NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science: Chapter-wise links
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflections
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light: Shadows and Reflections

The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 by experts at Careers360 provide a detailed explanation of key concepts such as laws of reflection, image formation, and shadow creation. These NCERT solutions present all topics in a structured way, making it simple for students to revise and strengthen their understanding. With step-by-step guidance and concept-based learning, students can confidently grasp the chapter without feeling confused, ensuring better preparation for exams.

NCERT Solutions Light: Shadows and Reflections Class 7: Exercise Questions

The Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light Question answers offer solutions in easy and a step by step manner to all the questions in the exercises, to equip the students to comprehend concepts such as, formation of shadow, making of images and reflection. They facilitate revision and enhance conceptual understanding and equip students well to sail through exams.

Q1. Which of the following are luminous objects? Mars, Moon, Pole Star, Sun, Venus, Mirror

Answer: The luminous objects are the Sun and the Pole Star. Mars, Moon, Venus, and Mirror are non-luminous objects because they do not emit their own light; they reflect light from other sources.

Q2. Match the items in Column A with those in Column B.

Answer:

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

Q3. Sahil, Rekha, Patrick, and Qasima are trying to observe the candle fl ame through the pipe as shown in Fig. 11.16. Who can see the flame?

Answer:

Rekha can see the candle flame because she is looking through a straight pipe, and light travels in a straight line. Sahil, Patrick, and Qasima cannot see the flame because their pipes are bent.

Q4. Look at the images shown in Fig. 11.17 and select the correct image showing the shadow formation of the boy.

Answer: The correct image is (b). The shadow of the boy should be a dark silhouette with the same shape as the boy, formed on the screen behind him when light is blocked.

Q5. The shadow of a ball is formed on a wall by placing the ball in front of a fixed torch as shown in Fig. 11.18. 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 formed in both scenarios from the options provided (a and b).


Answer: The correct option is (a). In scenario (i), when the ball is closer to the torch, the shadow is larger. In scenario (ii), when the ball is closer to the wall, the shadow is smaller.

Q6. Based on Fig. 11.18, match the position of the torch in Column A with the characteristics of the ball’s shadow in Column B.

Answer:

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 in the set-up on the left side of the ballTwo shadows would appear on the screen

Q7. Suppose 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

Answer:

The image of the tree in a pinhole camera will be upside down (inverted). The outline will show the tree with its top pointing downward and the trunk pointing upward, maintaining the same shape and colours but flipped vertically.

Q8. Write your name on a piece of paper and hold it in front of a plane mirror such that the paper is parallel to the mirror. Sketch the image. What difference do you notice? Explain the reason for the difference.

Answer:

The image of your name in the mirror will appear reversed from left to right (laterally inverted). For example, if your name is “RAJ,” it will look like “JAR” in the mirror. This happens because a plane mirror causes lateral inversion, where the left side of the object appears as the right side in the image.

Q9. Measure the length of your shadow at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM with the help of your friend. Write down your observations: (i) At which of the given times is your shadow the shortest? (ii) Why do you think this happens?

Answer:

(i) The shadow is the shortest at 12 PM.
(ii) This happens because, at 12 PM, the Sun is directly overhead, so the light rays are almost vertical, making the shadow shorter. At 9 AM and 4 PM, the Sun is lower in the sky, so the light rays are slanted, causing longer shadows.

Q10. On the basis of following statements, choose the correct option. Statement 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.
(i) Both statements are true
(ii) Both statements are false
(iii) Statement A is true, but Statement B is false
(iv) Statement A is false, but Statement B is true

Answer:

(i) Both statements are true. Statement A is true because a plane mirror causes lateral inversion. Statement B is true because the alphabets T and O are symmetrical, so their images in a plane mirror look identical to the original letters.

Q11. Suppose 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.

Answer :

Yes, the tube can be used to make a periscope by placing two plane mirrors at 45° angles, one at the top to reflect light downward, and one at the bottom to direct it to the eye.

Q12. We do not see the shadow on the ground of a bird fl ying high in the sky. However, the shadow is seen on the ground when the bird swoops near the ground. Think and explain why it is so.

Answer:

A bird flying high casts a large, faint shadow that's hard to see. When it flies close to the ground, the shadow becomes smaller, sharper, and clearer.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11: Topics

The NCERT Solutions of Class 7th Science Chapter 11, Light: Shadows and Reflections help to understand the key aspects, such as the properties of light, shadow formation, principle of reflection, and how simple optical instruments work. These are solutions that enable the students to learn fast and implement the knowledge in real-life.

11.1 Sources of Light

Luminous sources emit light independently (such as the Sun, bulbs, candles), whereas non-luminous instead reflect the light emitted by luminous sources (such as the Moon, books, walls). These concepts can be used to understand why we can perceive various objects.

11.2 Does Light Travel in a Straight Line?

Light always propagates in straight lines and this is referred to as the rectilinear propagation of light. This concept illustrates why and how shadows are formed and it can be discussed by conducting experiments such as placing light through holes in stacked cardboard paper.

11.3 Light through Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque Materials

Transparent: Allow light to pass completely (glass, clean water).

Translucent: Allow partial light (frosted glass, oiled paper).

Opaque: Do not allow light to pass (wood, metal).
This property affects how clearly we can see through different materials.

11.4 Shadow Formation

Shadow is cast by obstructing light with an opaque object. The shadow will be determined by the shape of the object and the direction of light. The shadows would always appear on the opposite side of the light source and the shadows are dark since light cannot penetrate the object.

11.4 Reflection of Light

Reflection occurs when light bounces off a smooth surface like a mirror. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Reflection enables us to see ourselves in mirrors and also plays a role in devices like periscopes.

11.5. Images Formed in a Plane Mirror

Plane mirrors create virtual, erect and laterally inverted images of the same size as the object. This is the reason why things are inverted in mirrors and why we are able to see ourselves clearly in it.

11.6 Pinhole Camera

A simple device that shows how light travels in straight lines. It forms an inverted image of an object on the screen inside the camera. Pinhole cameras have no lens and are often used in experiments to understand image formation.

11.7 Periscope

An optical instrument that allows viewing above or around an obstacle, based on two plane mirrors at angles of 45 degrees. The light principle of periscopes works with numerous reflections of the light and is usually implemented in submarines.

11.8 Kaleidoscope

An instrument with mirrors and coloured slivers of glass or paper which reflect one another several times and produce exquisite geometrical patterns. It proves that light and reflection may form various complex designs.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11

  1. Clear Concept Understanding: Describes difficult concepts such as rectilinear propagation of light, reflection, and formation of shadows with simple and step-wise language. Assists in developing a solid science base with real-life illustration examples.
  2. Well-Structured Answers: Gives correct, sharp and exam-oriented solutions to exercises as per CBSE/NCERT marking scheme.
  3. Boosts Exam Performance: Covers some of the significant keywords, definitions, and diagrams that have been found in test papers. Provides an understanding of the procedures for writing answers to achieve more marks.
  4. Supports Self-Study: Without any external assistance, the students can revise easily since the explanations are straightforward and can be understood easily. Serves as an immediate guide in the last-minute preparation.
  5. Improves Application Skills: Provides practical examples and hands-on activities that relate theory to practice, such as a pinhole camera, periscope, and kaleidoscope.
  6. Aligned with Updated Syllabus: According to the current Class 7 NCERT Science syllabus only, without any outdated or irrelevant items.

Approach to solve the Class 7 Science Chapter 11 light

Light: Shadows and Reflections introduces the concept of light and its different properties. For this chapter, it is important to understand the sources of light, how it travels and how it interacts with different materials. Using these concepts, we can explain the phenomena of light, including shadow formation, reflection and image creation. It is also crucial to understand the various devices based on this, such as the pinhole camera, periscope and kaleidoscope.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science: Chapter-wise links

The NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science is a step-by-step solution to all textbook exercises and questions. This makes it easy to solve problems and, most of all, to prepare well in time to pass the examination. These chapter-wise links make quick navigation and targeted revision beneficial, and in-depth coverage of the new syllabus.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Subject Wise

Also Check NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the major concepts covered in Class 7 Science Chapter 11?
A:

The chapter predominantly describes how light travels, makes shadows, shadows and generates reflections and how a pinhole camera and a periscope works.

Q: Why can we see our image in a mirror and not on a wall?
A:

The surface of a mirror is smooth and shiny and it gives a straight reflection of light whereas a wall surface is uneven and causes light to spread across directions.

Q: Which are the three categories of materials that are described in the chapter?
A:

Opaque, transparent and translucent, depending on the quantity of light that will get through them.

Q: How do you distinguish between a reflection and a shadow?
A:

Shadow forms when a light source is blocked by an opaque object, and a reflection forms when the light does a bounce-back on the surface.

Q: On what principle does the pinhole camera work?
A:

It operates based on the understanding that light moves in a straight path.

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