--- title: "NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Light: Shadows and Reflections" url: https://www.swavid.com/science/class/7/chapter/light-shadows-and-reflections/ncert-solutions dateModified: 2026-10-07T16:09:29+00:00 --- # NCERT Solutions Class 7 Science Light: Shadows and Reflections This chapter's questions cover concepts related to sources of light, rectilinear propagation of light, transparent, translucent, and opaque materials, shadow formation, reflection by plane mirrors, and optical devices like pinhole cameras, periscopes, and kaleidoscopes. Free PDF (6 pages): https://www.swavid.com/api/seo/pdf/ncert/science/class-7/swavid-ncert-solutions-class-7-science-chapter-11-light-shadows-and-reflections-8ffdb1c88d.pdf ## Let Us Enhance Our Learning ### Question 1 *1 mark · MCQ* Which of the following are luminous objects? - Mars - Moon - Pole Star - Sun - Venus - Mirror **Solution** 1. Objects that emit their own light are called luminous objects. 2. The Sun and the Pole Star (stars) emit their own light, whereas Mars, Moon, Venus, and Mirror do not. **Answer:** Pole Star, Sun > Common mistake: Confusing luminous objects like stars and the Sun with non-luminous objects like the Moon and planets that only reflect sunlight. ### Question 2 *3 marks · Short answer* Match the items in Column A with those in Column B. **Part (a)** 1. A pinhole camera forms an inverted image on a screen. Answer (a): Forms an inverted image **Part (b)** 1. An opaque object does not allow light to pass through and blocks it completely. Answer (b): Blocks light completely **Part (c)** 1. Light passes almost completely through transparent materials. Answer (c): Light passes almost completely through it **Answer:** Pinhole camera matches with 'Forms an inverted image', Opaque object matches with 'Blocks light completely', Transparent object matches with 'Light passes almost completely through it', Shadow matches with 'The dark region formed behind the object'. > Common mistake: Matching transparent objects with shadow formation instead of light transmission. ### Question 3 *3 marks · Short answer* Sahil, 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? **Solution** 1. Light travels in a straight line. 2. Rekha is looking through a straight pipe, allowing light from the candle flame to reach her eyes. 3. Sahil, Patrick, and Qasima are looking through bent pipes, so they cannot see the flame. **Answer:** Rekha can see the candle flame. > Common mistake: Confusing the straight pipe with the bent pipes. ### Question 4 *1 mark · MCQ* Look at the images shown in Fig. 11.17 and select the correct image showing the shadow formation of the boy. - (a) - (b) - (c) - (d) **Solution** 1. A shadow is formed on the opposite side of the light source when an opaque object blocks light. 2. The light rays travel in a straight line, forming the dark patch on the ground below the boy matching option (d). **Answer:** (d) > Common mistake: Choosing an option where the shadow is formed on the wrong side or has incorrect proportions. ### Question 5 *1 mark · MCQ* 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). - a - b **Solution** 1. When an object is closer to the screen (scenario ii), the shadow is smaller, and when the object is closer to the torch/source (scenario i), the shadow is larger. 2. Option (a) correctly depicts a larger shadow in scenario (i) and a smaller shadow in scenario (ii). **Answer:** (a) > Common mistake: Confusing how the distance between the torch, object, and screen affects the size of the shadow. ### Question 6 *3 marks · Short answer* 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. **Part (a)** 1. Placing the torch close to the ball makes the shadow larger. Answer (a): The shadow would be larger **Part (b)** 1. Placing the torch far away makes the shadow smaller. Answer (b): The shadow would be smaller **Part (c)** 1. Removing the ball allows light to fall directly on the screen, creating a bright spot. Answer (c): A bright spot would appear on the screen **Answer:** If the torch is close to the ball, the shadow would be larger. If the torch is far away, the shadow would be smaller. If the ball is removed from the set-up, a bright spot would appear on the screen. If two torches are present in the set-up on the left side of the ball, two shadows would appear on the screen. > Common mistake: Swapping the size of the shadow when the torch is moved closer or farther from the object. ### Question 7 *3 marks · Short answer* 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. **Solution** 1. A pinhole camera forms an image of an object by allowing light rays to pass through a tiny hole. 2. The image formed by a pinhole camera is always inverted (upside down) compared to the object. 3. Therefore, the outline of the tree in the image will appear upside down, with the top of the tree at the bottom and the base at the top. **Answer:** The image of the tree formed in the pinhole camera will be inverted (upside down). > Common mistake: Drawing the image erect instead of inverted. ### Question 8 *3 marks · Short answer* 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. **Solution** 1. When a piece of paper with a name written on it is held in front of a plane mirror, the image appears laterally inverted. 2. Lateral inversion means that the left side of the object appears as the right side in the image, and vice versa. 3. This happens because the mirror reflects the light rays such that the orientation of the object is reversed horizontally. **Answer:** The image is laterally inverted, meaning the left and right sides are swapped due to the reflection properties of a plane mirror. > Common mistake: Confusing lateral inversion with vertical inversion. ### Question 9 *3 marks · Short answer* 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? **Part (i)** 1. The shadow is shortest at 12 PM. Answer (i): 12 PM **Part (ii)** 1. At 12 PM, the Sun is at its highest point in the sky (overhead). 2. When the light source is directly above, the length of the shadow formed on the ground is at its minimum. Answer (ii): The Sun is directly overhead at 12 PM, resulting in the shortest shadow. **Answer:** The shadow is shortest at 12 PM because the Sun is directly overhead. > Common mistake: Thinking the shadow is shortest in the morning or evening. ### Question 10 *1 mark · MCQ* 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. - Both statements are true - Both statements are false - Statement A is true, but statement B is false - Statement A is false, but statement B is true **Solution** 1. Statement A is true because plane mirrors cause lateral inversion. 2. Statement B is true because letters like T and O are symmetric and appear identical in a mirror. 3. Therefore, both statements are correct. **Answer:** (i) Both statements are true > Common mistake: Assuming all letters appear identical in a mirror. ### Question 11 *3 marks · Short answer* Suppose you are given a tube of the shape shown in the 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. **Solution** 1. Yes, this tube can be used to make a periscope. 2. To make a periscope, two plane mirrors must be placed at the two bends of the Z-shaped tube. 3. The mirrors should be fixed at an angle of 45 degrees to the line of sight so that light is reflected twice to reach the observer's eye. **Answer:** Yes, the tube can be used by fixing two plane mirrors at the two bends of the Z-shape at an angle of 45 degrees. > Common mistake: Placing mirrors at the wrong angle. ### Question 12 *3 marks · Short answer* We do not see the shadow on the ground of a bird flying 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. **Solution** 1. A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks the path of light. 2. When a bird is flying very high, the light rays from the Sun pass around it, and the shadow becomes too diffused or large to be visible on the ground. 3. When the bird is near the ground, it effectively blocks the light rays, creating a distinct dark patch on the ground. **Answer:** The shadow is not visible when the bird is high because the light rays are not blocked effectively; it becomes visible near the ground where the bird blocks the light rays clearly. > Common mistake: Failing to mention the blocking of light rays. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many questions are there in NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light Shadows and Reflections? The 'Let Us Enhance Our Learning' section for this chapter in the new NCERT book contains 12 questions. You can find step-by-step solutions for all of them in SwaVid's free PDF available on this page only. ### What topics do the exercise questions cover in this Class 7 Science chapter? The questions cover concepts such as characteristics of shadows, lateral inversion, luminous and non-luminous objects, and the rectilinear propagation of light. They also include applications like periscopes, pinhole cameras, and plane mirror properties. ### What are the question types in the Class 7 Science Chapter 11 exercise? The exercise features multiple choice questions and short answer questions that test your understanding of materials, shadows, and properties of light. SwaVid provides detailed answers to help you master both question types easily. ### How should I write answers to score full marks in Class 7 Science Chapter 11? To score full marks, define key terms clearly and use scientific terms like rectilinear propagation or lateral inversion where applicable. Referring to SwaVid's free PDF on this page will help you learn the exact structure for top-scoring answers. ### Is the free PDF for Class 7 Science Chapter 11 Light Shadows and Reflections available? Yes, the complete chapter solutions aligned with the new NCERT book for the 2026-27 session are provided here. You can easily access SwaVid's free PDF and detailed step-by-step solutions on this page only. ## Related pages - [Class 7 Science chapters](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/7) Solutions written by SwaVid, a personal AI tutor for Class 6 to 10 Maths and Science. Practise this chapter free: https://www.swavid.com/start/student