Light – Reflection And Refraction

Light:
 Light is a form of energy that enables us to see things.
Light starts from a source and bounces off objects which
are perceived by our eyes, and our brain processes this
signal, which eventually enables us to see.

 Maxwell predicted that magnetic and electric fields travel

in the form of waves, and these waves move at the speed
of light.

 light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

 Speed of light in vacuum is 3 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 m/s.

 Light is transversal wave

 According to modern quantum theory it has dual nature

i.e., wave as well as particle.

Reflection Of Light: Reflection of light is the phenomenon of

bouncing back of light in the same medium on striking the
surface of any object

Some Terms Related with Reflection:

(i) Incident Ray: The light ray striking a reflecting surface

is called an incident ray.
(ii) Point of Incidence: It may be defined as the point at
which the incident ray strikes at reflecting surface. It is
denoted by “O”

(iii) Reflected Ray: It may be defined as the ray obtained

after reflection from the reflecting surface in the same
medium.

(iv) Normal: It may be defined as the perpendicular drawn

to the point of incidence
(v) Angle of incidence: It may be defined as the angle
which the incident ray makes with the normal at the
point of incidence. It is denoted by the letter i.
(vi) Angle of reflection: It may be defined as the angle
which the reflected ray makes with the normal at the
point of incidence. It is denoted by the letter r.
(vii) Plane of incidence: It may be defined as the plane
containing the incident ray and the normal.
(viii) Plane of reflection: It may be defined as the plane
containing the reflected ray and the normal.
 LAWS OF REFLECTION:

A light ray obeys the following two laws for reflection from
a surface, which are called the laws of reflection. There are
following two laws-

(1) The angle of incidence “i” is equal to the angle of

reflection “r” (i.e. ∠𝒊 = ∠𝒓)

(2) The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the
point of incidence, lie in the same plane.

Image: An image may be defined as that point, where the light

rays coming from an object meet or appears to meet after
reflection or refraction. It has following two types-

(a) Virtual Image: A virtual image is one that cannot be

obtained on a screen. When reflected or refracted rays appear
to collide, a virtual image is formed.

(b) Real Image: A real image is formed when the rays of light
after reflection or refraction actually meet at some point.
Lateral Inversion: The interchange of the left and right sides in
the image of an object in a plane mirror is called lateral
inversion

Plane Mirror: A plane mirror is a smooth or highly polished

surface that reflects light in order to form an image. It is a flat,
polished, and reflective surface that produces a virtual image of
the real object.
Properties of an image formed by the plane mirror:

1. The image obtained is virtual.

2. The image is laterally inverted.
3. The image is erect.
4. The size of the image is the same as the size of the object.
5. The distance between the image obtained is the same as
the distance between the object from the mirror.
6. The magnification produced by plane mirror is +1

Spherical mirrors: A spherical mirror is a mirror whose

reflecting surface is part of a hollow sphere of glass.

The spherical mirrors are of two types:

(a) Concave mirror: A concave mirror is made by

silvering the outer ( or bulging) surface of the piece of a
 hollow sphere such that reflection takes place from the
hollow (or concave).

(b) Convex mirror: A convex mirror is made by silvering

the inner surface of the piece of a hollow sphere such that
the reflection takes place from the outer (or bulging)
surface

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF TERMS RELATED TO A

SPHERICAL MIRROR:

(1) Centre of curvature: The centre of curvature of a mirror is

the centre of the sphere of which the mirror is a part. It is
represented by the symbol “C”.
(2) Radius of curvature: The radius of sphere of which the
spherical mirror is a part, is called the radius of ray,
curvature of the mirror. Thus, it is the distance of centre of
 curvature “C” from any point on the surface of mirror.
Distance PC is the radius of curvature. It is represented by
the symbol “R”.
(3) Pole: The geometric centre of the spherical surface of the
mirror is called the pole of the mirror. It is the central point
of the surface of the mirror. It is represented by the letter
“P”.
(4) Aperture: The plane surface area of the mirror through
which the light rays enter and fall on the mirror is called its
aperture.
(5) Principal axis: It is the straight line joining the pole of the
mirror to its centre of curvature. The line PC represents the
principal axis. It can extend on either side

Principal Focus And Focal length of Concave Mirror:

The focus of a concave mirror is a point on the principal

axis through which the light rays incident parallel to the
principal axis, pass after reflection from the mirror. a
concave mirror has a real focus because the reflected rays
actually meet at this point as shown below. The focus is
represented by the symbol “F” and the distance between
Principal Focus “F” and Pole “P” is called focal length. It
is represented by “f”
 Principal Focus And Focal length of Convex Mirror:

The focus of a convex mirror is a point on the principal

axis from which, the light rays incident parallel to the
principal axis, appear to come, after reflection from the
mirror This point is obtained geometrically, when the
reflected rays are produced backwards. Thus a convex
mirror has a virtual focus.

CONVENIENT RAYS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF

IMAGE BY RAY DIAGRAM:

(1) A ray passing through the centre of curvature:

 A ray passing through (or directed towards) the centre
of curvature of a spherical mirror, is reflected back
along its own path

(2) A ray parallel to the principal axis:

A ray incident parallel to the principal axis, after reflection

from a spherical mirror either passes or appears to be
coming from focus.

(3) A ray passing through the focus:

 A ray either incident from the focus (or converging at the
focus), after reflection from a spherical mirror becomes
parallel to the principal axis.

(4) A ray incident at the pole:

For a ray incident at the pole of a spherical mirror, the

reflected ray is at an angle of reflection equal to the angle
of incidence with principal axis as normal.

RAY DIAGRAMS FOR FORMATION OF IMAGES IN

A CONCAVE MIRROR:
 Case (i): When the object is at infinity

When the object is at infinity, the image is at the focus F. It

is –(a)Real, (b) Inverted and (c)Diminished to a point.

Case (ii): When object is beyond the centre of curvature

When object is beyond the centre of curvature C, the image is

between the focus F and the centre of curvature C. It is (i) Real,
(ii) Inverted, and (iii) Diminished.

Case (iii): When object is at the centre of curvature C:

When the object is at the centre of curvature C, the image is

also at the centre of curvature C. It is (i) Real, (ii) Inverted, and
(iii) Size same as that of the object.
Case (iv): When object is between the centre of curvature C
and focus F:

When the object is between the centre of curvature C and the

focus F, the image is beyond the centre of curvature C. It is (i)
Real, (ii) Inverted, and (iii) Magnified.

Case (v): When object is at the focus F:

When the object is at the focus F, the image is at infinity. It is (i)

Real, (ii) Inverted, and (iii) Highly magnified.
Case (vi): When the object is between the focus F and the pole
P:

When the object is between the focus F and pole P, the image is
behind the mirror. It is (i) Virtual, (ii) Upright, and (iii)
Magnified.

RAY DIAGRAM FOR FORMATION OF IMAGE IN A

CONVEX MIRROR:

Case (i): When object is at infinity:

The image is formed at the focus, behind the mirror and the
nature of the image is (i)erect, (ii)virtual, and (iii)highly
diminished.
Case (ii) When the object is in between the pole P and focus
F:

When the object is in front of a convex mirror, the image is

between the pole P and focus F on the other side of the mirror.
It is (i) Virtual, (ii) Upright, and (iii) Diminished.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FOCAL LENGTH AND

RADIUS OF CURVATURE:
The focal length of a spherical mirror is equal to half of its
radius of curvature. i.e.,
𝐑
𝒇=
𝟐

Uses of a concave mirror

(1) As a shaving mirror: When a concave mirror is held near

the face (such that face is between the pole and focus of
mirror), it gives an upright and magnified image and
hence even the tiny hairs on the face can easily be seen. For
this, a concave mirror of large focal length (so that the face
always lies between its focus and the pole) and large
aperature (so as to view the entire face) is used.
(2) As a reflector: In torch, search light, and head light of
automobiles, cars or cycles etc., a concave polished
metallic surface is used as a reflector to obtain a parallel
beam of light. For this, the source of light (i.e., bulb) is
placed at the focus of concave reflector. The rays of light
from the bulb fall on the concave reflector which after
reflection form a parallel beam.
(3) As a dentist's head mirror: If a parallel beam of light is
incident on a concave mirror, it focuses the beam to a
point. This fact enables us to use it as a doctor's head
mirror to concentrate a light beam on a small area of the
body part (such as teeth, nose, throat, ear, etc.) to be
examined. For this, a parallel beam of light is made to fall
on a concave mirror attached to the band tied at the fore-
head of doctor examining the body part.

Uses of a convex mirror

(1) As a reflector in street lamps: A convex polished metallic

surface is used in street lamp as a reflector so as to diverge
light over a larger area.
(2) As a rear view mirror: A convex mirror diverges the
incident light beam and always forms a virtual, small and
erect image between its pole and focus. This fact enables
the driver to use it as a rear view mirror in vehicles to see
all the traffic approaching from behind. Although a plane
mirror can also be used for the purpose, but a convex
mirror provides a much wider field of view as compared
to a plane mirror of the same size.
SIGN CONVENTION FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF
DISTANCES:

To specify the position of object and image, we need a reference

point and sign convention. We follow the Cartesian sign
convention, according to which the rules are:

(i) All distances are measured from the pole of the

mirror taken as origin. The rays are made incident
from the left.
(ii) The distances measured along the principal axis in
the direction of incident light, are positive while
those opposite to the incident light, are negative.
(iii) The distances above the principal axis are taken
positive and those below the principal axis are taken
negative.
Mirror Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ =
𝒗 𝒖 𝒇

Where 𝒗 =
−𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 ( )
+𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥

𝒖 = 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 (𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 − 𝐯𝐞)

𝒇 = 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 ( +𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐱 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫

−𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫)
Magnification:

The ratio of length of the image to the length of the object, is

called linear magnification or magnification. It has no unit.
𝒉𝟐 −𝒗
𝒎= =
𝒉𝟏 𝒖

Where 𝒉𝟐 = 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 ( −𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 +

𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆)

𝒉𝟏 = 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 ( 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 + 𝒗𝒆)

Refraction of light:

The change in direction of the path of light, when it passes

from one transparent medium to another transparent medium,
is called refraction. The refraction of light is essentially a
surface phenomenon.

When light moves from –

(a) Rarer medium to denser medium it bends towards

normal
(b) Denser medium to Rarer medium it moves away
from the normal

Cause of Refraction:

When a ray of light passes from one medium to another

medium, its direction (or path) changes because of change in
speed of light in going from one medium to another. In
passing from one medium to other, if light slows down, it
bends towards the normal and if light speeds up, it bends
away from the normal.

LAWS OF REFRACTION:

The refraction of light obeys two laws of refraction which

were given by the Dutch scientist Willebrod Snell, so they
are known as Snell's laws after his name. They are:
 (1) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the
point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
(2) The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence i to the sine
of the angle of refraction r is constant for the pair of given
media. i.e., mathematically
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊
=µ
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓

The constant is called the refractive index of the second

medium with respect to the first medium. It is generally
represented by the Greek letter 1µ2 (mew).

Refractive index:

The refractive index of second medium with respect to the first

medium is defined as the ratio of the sine of the angle of
incidence in the first medium to the sine of the angle of
refraction in the second medium.

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊
= µ
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓

The refractive index has no unit as it is the ratio of two

similar quantities.

Absolute Refractive Index: The absolute refractive index of a

medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum
(or air) to the speed of light in that medium, i.e.,
 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐦 (𝐜)
𝛍=
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 (𝐯)

The refractive index of a transparent medium is always greater

than 1 (it cannot be less than 1), because speed of light in any
medium is always less than that in vacuum (i.e., v < c).

RELATIVE REFRACTIVE INDEX:

When light passes from one medium 1 to another medium 2,

the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is
written as n or µ and is called relative refractive index;
𝒄
1µ
𝛍𝟐 𝒗𝟐 𝒗𝟏
Where, 2= = 𝒄 =
𝛍𝟏 𝒗𝟐
𝒗𝟏

𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝟏

Or, 1µ
2=
𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝟐

Similarly, refractive index of medium 1 and medium 2 is

2µ
𝒗𝟐 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝟐
1= =
𝒗𝟏 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝟏

1µ
𝒗𝟏 𝒗𝟐
So, 2 × 2µ 1 = × =1
𝒗𝟐 𝒗𝟏

1µ × 2µ1 = 1
2

Refraction Through Rectangular Slab:

In the below figure KLMN is a rectangular glass slab. A ray of

light travelling in air along AB, falls on the face KL of glass slab
at B, at angle of incidence i1 = ∠N1 BA. As the ray is going from
rarer medium (air) into denser medium (glass), it bends
towards normal ∠N1 BN1’ and goes along BC at angle of
refraction r1 = ∠CBN1

According to Snell’s Law,

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊𝟏 𝛍𝐠
= …………(1)
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓𝟏 𝛍𝐚

At point C on the boundary MN of glass slab, light is leaving

glass slab and entering into air i.e., it is moving from denser
medium (glass) into rarer medium (air).

Therefore, second refraction occurs at C and the ray emerges

along CD. CD is the emergent ray after suffering two
refractions on passing through a rectangular glass slab.

For second refraction at C, BC serves as the incident ray, ∠N2

CB= r2 = angle of incidence in glass, ∠DCN2’ = e = angle of
emergence, which is angle of refraction in air.
Applying Snell's law of refraction at C, we get,

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝟐 𝛍𝐚
=
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐞 𝛍𝐠
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐞 𝛍𝐠
or, = ………(2)
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝟐 𝛍𝐚

From Equation (1) and (2), we get,

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊𝟏
= ………(3)
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓𝟏

But r1 = r2; So, Sin r1 = Sin r2

Frome equation (3),

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊𝟏
=
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓𝟏
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒊𝟏
Or, =
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒓𝟐

Or, sin e = sin i1

Or, e = i1
i.e., angle of emergence (e) at second boundary MN of glass
slab is equal to angle of incidence (i1) at first boundary KL. of
glass slab. Hence, CD is parallel to AB. Thus,

Light emerges from rectangular glass slab in a direction parallel

to that in which it entered the glass slab

Lateral Displacement Or Lateral Shift:

It may be defined as the perpendicular distance between the

incident ray and the emergent ray. It is denoted by x or d

Lateral Displacement Depends Upon Following Factors -

(1) Dependence on the thickness of medium: More the

thickness of the medium, more is the lateral displacement.
(2) Dependence on the angle of incidence: More the angle of
incidence, more is the lateral displacement.
(3) Dependence on the refractive index: More the refractive
index of the medium, more is the lateral displacement.
Since refractive index increases with the decrease in
wavelength of light, so the lateral displacement increases
with the decrease in wavelength of light (i.e., lateral
displacement is more for violet light than for red light).

SOME TECHNICAL TERMS RELATED TO A LENS:

(1) Centre of curvature: A lens has two surfaces. Each

surface of the lens is a part of a sphere. The centre of the
sphere whose part is the lens surface, is called the
 centre of curvature of that surface of the lens. Since a
lens has two spherical surfaces, so there are two centres
of curvature of a lens. C1 and C2 are respectively the
centres of curvature of the two surfaces 1 and 2 of the
lens.
(2) Radius of curvature: The radius of the sphere whose
part is the lens surface, is called the radius of curvature
of that surface of the lens. OC1 and OC2 are the radii of
curvature of the two surfaces 1 and 2 of the convex lens.
(3) Principal axis: It is the line joining the centres of
curvature of the two surfaces of the lens. the line C1C2 is
the principal axis.
(4) Optical centre: It is a point on the principal axis of the
lens such that a ray of light passing through this point
emerges parallel to its direction of incidence. It is
marked by the letter O in. So, the optical centre is thus
the centre of lens.

PRINCIPAL FOCUS AND FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONVEX

LENS:
 A convex lens has two surfaces and hence it has two principal
foci or two focal points as detailed below:

First Principal Focus: First Principal Focus of a convex lens is

the position of a point object on the principal axis of the lens,
for which the image formed by the lens is at infinity. First
principal focus of convex lens is represented by the point F1. In
the below figure rays starting from an object point at F1 on
refraction through convex lens, become parallel to principal
axis, and would form the image of the object point at infinity.

 The distance of first principal focus of the lens from

optical centre O of the lens is called first focal length of
convex lens. It is represented by f1. Thus OF1 = f1.

Second Principal Focus: Second Principal Focus of a convex

lens is the position of an image point on the principal axis of
the lens, when the point object is situated at infinity. Second
principal focus of convex lens is represented by the point F2 in
the below figure rays from an object at infinity fall on convex
lens in a direction parallel to the principal axis of the lens. On
refraction through convex lens, they actually meet at a point F2
on the principal axis of the lens, where a point image is formed.
Thus, F2 is second principal focus of convex lens. It is a real
point.

 The distance of second principal focus of the lens from the

optical centre O of the lens is called second focal length of
convex lens. It is represented by f2. Thus OF2 = f2

PRINCIPAL FOCUS AND FOCAL LENGTH OF A

CONCAVE LENS:

First Principal Focus:

For a concave lens, first focal point is a point F1 on the principal

axis of the lens such that the incident rays of light appearing to
meet at it, after refraction from the lens become parallel to the
principal axis of the lens.
  The distance of first principal focus of the lens from
optical centre O of the lens is called first focal length of
convex lens. It is represented by f1. Thus OF1 = f1.

Second Principal Focus:

For a concave lens, second focal point is a point F₂ on the

principal axis of the lens such that the rays of light incident
parallel to the principal axis, after refraction from the lens,
appear to be diverging from this point. It is a virtual point.

 The distance of second principal focus of the lens from the

optical centre O of the lens is called second focal length of
convex lens. It is represented by f2. Thus OF2 = f2

CONVENIENT RAYS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF

IMAGE BY RAY DIAGRAM:

Generally, we use the following three principal rays for the

construction of the ray diagrams.

(1) When a ray of light is passing through Optical centre “O”

of Lens: A ray of light incident at the optical centre O of the
lens passes undeviated through the lens as shown in figure
below

(2) When a ray of light is parallel to the Principal axis: A

ray of light incident parallel to the principal axis of the lens,
after refraction passes through the second focus F2 (in a
convex lens) or appears to come from the second focus F2 (in
a concave lens) as shown in figure below

(3) When ray of light passes through the first principal

focus F1 : A ray of light passing through the first focus F1
(in a convex lens) or directed towards the first focus F1 (in
a concave lens), emerges parallel to the principal axis after
refraction as shown in figure below
CHARACTERISTICS AND LOCATION OF IMAGES FOR
A CONVEX LENS:

Case I: When the object is at infinity :

The image is at the principal focus F2 (or in the focal plane)

on the other side of the lens. It is -

(a) real, (b) inverted, and (c) highly diminished.

Case (ii) When the object is beyond 2F1 :

The image is between F2 and 2F2 on the other side of the lens.
It is –

(a) real (b) inverted, and (c) diminished.

Case (iii): When the object is at 2F1 :

The image is at 2F2 on the other side of the lens. It is –

(a) real, (b) inverted, and (c) of the same size as the object.

Case (iv): When the object is between F1 and 2F₁:

The image is beyond 2F2 on the other side of the lens. It is –

(a) real, (b) inverted, and (c) magnified.

Case (v): When the object is at F1:

The image is at infinity i.e., at a very far distance, on the

other side of the lens. It is –

(a) real, (b) inverted, and (c) highly magnified.

Case (vi): When the object is between the lens and focus
i.e., between optical centre O and F1:

The image is on the same side and behind the object. It is -

(a) virtual, (b) erect or upright, and (c) magnified.
 CHARACTERISTICS AND LOCATION OF IMAGES FOR
A CONCAVE LENS:

Case (i): When the object is at infinity:

The image is at the principal focus F2 (or in the focal plane)

on the same side of the object. It is –

(a) virtual, (b) erect, and (c) highly diminished.

Case (ii): When the object is at any finite distance from the
concave lens:

The image is between the lens and focus, on the side of object.
It is –
(a) virtual, (b) erect, and (c) diminished.

SIGN CONVENTION FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF

DISTANCES:

To specify the position of object and image, we need a reference

point and sign convention. We follow the Cartesian sign
convention, according to which the rules are:

(i) All distances are measured from the optical centre of

the mirror taken as origin. The rays are made
incident from the left.
(ii) The distances measured along the principal axis in
the direction of incident light, are positive while
those opposite to the incident light, are negative.
(iii) The distances above the principal axis are taken
positive and those below the principal axis are taken
negative.
Lens Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
− =
𝒗 𝒖 𝒇

Where 𝒗 =
+𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 ( )
−𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥
 𝒖 = 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 (𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 − 𝐯𝐞)

𝒇 = 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 ( +𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐱 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬

−𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬)

Magnification:

The ratio of length of the image to the length of the object, is

called linear magnification or magnification. It has no unit.
𝒉𝟐 𝒗
𝒎= =
𝒉𝟏 𝒖

Where 𝒉𝟐 = 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 ( −𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆

+𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆)

𝒉𝟏 = 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 ( 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 + 𝒗𝒆)

POWER OF A LENS:

The deviation of the incident light rays produced by a lens on

refraction through it, is a measure of its power. Its S.I unit is
“dioptre(D)”.
𝟏
𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬 (𝐢𝐧 𝐃) =
𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 (𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬)

 Power of lens is positive for convex lens and negative for

concave lens.

POWER OF A COMBINATION OF LENSES:

When a number of thin lenses are placed in contact with one
another, the power of the combination is equal to algebraic sum
of the powers of individual lenses.

If P1 , P2 , P3 ,…………. Are the powers of individual lenses

placed in contact with one another, the power P of the
combination is P = P1 + P2 + P3 + ………..

Distinguish Between Concave and Convex lens:

Concave Lens Convex Lens

Appearance A concave lens is A convex lens is thicker in

thinner in the middle the middle and thinner at the
and thicker at the edges. edges.

Also known It is also known as It is also known as

as Diverging Lens Converging Lens

Application Used in glasses, some Used in the camera,

telescopes, spy holes in overhead projector, projector
the doors, etc. It is also microscope, simple telescope,
used for the correction magnifying glasses, etc. It is
of the problem in short also used for the correction of
sight the problem in long sight.

Focal Negative Focal Length Positive Focal Length

Length
 Incident It diverges the incident It converges the incident rays
Rays rays away from the towards the principal axis.
principal axis.

Type of The image formed is an The image formed is

Image upright, virtual, and inverted, real and smaller
Formed smaller size than the than the object when the
object. The position of object is placed at focus. The
the image formed is in image formed is the inverted,
between the lens and real, and the same size as the
the object regardless of object when the object is
the object’s position placed at 2F. The image
formed is inverted, real and
larger than the object when
the object is placed between
2F and F. Image is formed at
infinity when the object is
placed at the focus.. The
image formed is upright,
virtual, and larger than the
object when the object is
placed on the same side of
the lens.

Question And Answers:

1. A ray of light travelling in air enters obliquely into water.

Does the light ray bend towards the normal or away from the
normal? Why?
Answer-
The light ray bends towards the normal. When a light ray
enters from an optically rarer medium (which has a low
refractive index) to an optically denser medium (which has a
high refractive index), its speed slows down and bends
towards the normal. As water is optically denser than air, a ray
of light entering from air into water will bend towards the
normal.
2. The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. What is the
meaning of this statement?
Answer-
A diamond has a refractive index of 2.42, which means that the
speed of light in a diamond will reduce by a factor of 2.42 as
compared to its speed in the air.
In other words, the speed of light in a diamond is 1/2.42 times
the speed of light in a vacuum.
3. Define 1 dioptre of power of a lens.
Answer-
Dioptre is the SI unit of power of lens is denoted by the letter
D. 1 dioptre can be defined as the power of a lens of focal
length 1 metre.
4. Name the type of mirror used in the following situations.
(a) Headlights of a car
(b) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle
(c) Solar furnace
Support your answer with a reason.
Answer-
(a) Concave Mirror: Concave mirrors can produce a powerful
parallel beam of light when the light source is placed at their
principal focus.
(b) Convex Mirror: Because of its largest field of view.
(c) Concave Mirror: Because it concentrates the parallel rays of
the sun at a principal focus.
5. One-half of a convex lens is covered with black paper. Will
this lens produce a complete image of the object? Verify your
answer experimentally. Explain your observations.
Answer-
Yes, it will produce a complete image of the object, as shown in
the figure. This can be verified experimentally by observing the
image of a distant object, like a tree on a screen, when the lower
half of the lens is covered with black paper. However, the
intensity or brightness of the image will reduce.
6. The magnification produced by a plane mirror is +1. What
does this mean?
Answer-
The positive sign means an image formed by a plane mirror is
virtual and erect. Since the magnification is 1, it means that the
size of the image is equal to the size of the object.