Ray Optics (Theory)
Ray Optics (Theory)
Ray Optics (Theory)
Spherical mirror
It is a mirror whose reflecting surface forms part of a hallow sphere.
Spherical mirrors are of two types
1. Concave mirror
2. Convex mirror
Note:
1) Concave mirrors are used as shaving mirrors because they give a magnified image.
2) Convex mirror used as side view mirrors in cars because they form diminished
images. Hence, even a small mirror can give a large field of view.
4. The heights measured upwards perpendicular to the principal axis are taken as
positive
5. The heights measured down wards perpendicular to the principal axis are taken as
negative.
- - - - - - - - - - - (5)
and
Note:
1) The focal length of a spherical mirror does not depend on the medium in which it
is placed.
2) Focal length of a concave mirror is taken as negative
3) Focal length of a convex mirror is taken as positive.
Derivation of the mirror formula for a concave mirror forming a real image
Consider an object AB placed on the principal axis beyond the centre of curvature C
of a concave mirror of small aperture then it forms a real image A‘B’
Let BP = u, object distance B’P =v, image distance
FP = f, focal length
In fig, triangle A’B’F & MPF are similar
But PM = BA
- - - - (1)
Triangles A’B’P & ABP are also similar
- - - - (2)
From equations (1) and (2) we get,
- - - - (3)
Applying sign convention, B’P = - v, BP = - u and FP = - f
( )
Note:
The same mirror formula is valid for both concave and convex mirror whether the
image formed is real or virtual
2. Draw the ray diagram showing formation of virtual image by convex mirror.
Refraction of Light
The phenomenon of bending of light ray when it passes from one medium to another
medium of different optical densities is known as refraction of light.
Note:
1) When ray of light travels from a rarer medium to a denser medium, it bends towards
the normal.
2) When a ray of light travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it bends away
from the normal.
AO – incident ray
OB – refracted ray
MN – normal to the surface
̂ – Angle of incidence
̂ Angle or refraction
̂ ( ) Angle of deviation
NOTE:
1) The above law is known as Snell’s law of refraction. The constant in the above
relation is called refractive index ‘n’.
2) Snell’s law of refraction fails for normal incidence. This is the limitation of Snell’s law
of refraction.
Relative refractive index of a medium
Refractive index of a medium with respect to another medium is called relative
refractive index.
When a ray of light travels from first medium to second medium, Snell’s law be
written as
The ray diagram representing lateral shift through a parallel sided glass slab
PQ – incident ray
QR – refracted ray
RS – emergent ray
Angle of incident
Angle of refraction
LN – t, thickness of glass slab
RO = LS, lateral shift
Critical Angle
Critical angle for a media and for a given wavelength of light is that angle of
incidence in the denser medium for which the angle of refraction in the rarer
medium is 90°.
The critical angle for a pair of media is given by
( )
Where refractive index of rarer medium
Principle
Optical fibre works on the principle of total internal reflection.
Working
A ray light entering an optical fibre meets the
interface between the core and the cladding
at an angle greater than the critical angle.
Hence it undergoes total internal reflection,
this happens repeatedly as shown in fig and
finally the ray emerges at the other end with
practically no loss of intensity (energy).
Note:
The minimum refractive index of a right-angled isosceles prism to turns a beam of
light through 90° is 1.414.
3) Mirage
A mirage is an optical illusion caused due to refraction and total internal reflection of
light at air layers of different optical densities.
From θ - - -- - - - - - (1)
From
- - - - - - - - - (2)
From Snell’s law of refraction,
( )
Note: If refraction takes place from denser medium to rarer medium(object placed
in denser medium) then
Refraction by a Lens
Lens is an optical medium bound by two surfaces of which at least one is either
spherical or cylindrical.
Note:
1) Optical centre : It is the point of intersection of refracted ray and the principal axis
when the emergent ray is parallel to the direction of incident ray.
In fig, PQ – incident ray
QR – refracted ray
RS – emergent ray.
2) A parallel beam of light after refraction through convex lens converge to a point on
the principal axis. The point is called principal focus.
( )
( ) - - - - - - - - (3)
For a lens,
Equation (4) in (3) we get,
( )( )
Note:
Focal length of lens in air
( )( )
Thin Lens
A thin lens is one whose thickness is very small with respect to the radii of curvature of
its surfaces.
Lens formula
The lens formula or lens equation is given by
Note:
Derivation of the relation between power of a lens and its focal length
Consider a convex lens of focal length f. A beam of light is incident at distance h from
the optical centre O. It converges the beam by angle .
In figure,
If then
By the definition of the power of a lens.
Therefore,
Note:
1) The power of a lens is numerically equal to the reciprocal of its focal length.
2) The power of a lens is
(i) Positive for converging lens and
(ii) Negative for diverging lens.
3) The factors on which the power of a lens depend
1. Refractive index of the material of the lens.
2. Radius of curvature of the lens.
4) The power of a lens immersed in a liquid of refractive index equal to that of the lens
is zero.
Derivation of an expression for the equivalent focal length of two thin lenses
are in contact
Consider two thin convex lenses L1 and L2 of focal lengths f1 and f2 are placed
coaxially in contact.
Let O – luminous point object on the principal axis.
But
Note:
1) An equivalent lens of a combination of lenses is single lens which produces the
same effect as the combination and its focal length is called an equivalent focal
length or effective focal length.
2)
3) P=P1+P2+P3+ ………..
Note:
1) The angle of deviation produced by a prism depends on the following factors
1. Angle of the prism
2. Refractive index of the material of the prism
3. Wavelength of light used
4. Angle of incidence
2) The angle made by the refracting surfaces of a prism is known as the angle of prism.
3) When ray of light passing through a prism the angle between the emergent ray and
the direction of the incident ray is called angle of deviation.
4) The least value of deviation for a ray passing through a prism is called of angle of
minimum deviation.
Thin prism
A small angled prism(less than 10) is called a thin prism.
Note:
Derivation of an expression for refractive index of the material of the thin prism
We have the refraction index of the material of the prism is
( )
( )
For a thin prism A is very small and hence D is also very small.
For small angles, ( ) and ( )
( )
Dispersion by prism
The phenomenon of splitting of composite light into its constituent colours is called
dispersion of light.
Note:
1) The phenomenon involved in the formation of rainbow in the sky is dispersion of
light.
2) The monochromatic ray can’t undergo dispersion
3) Red colour travels with maximum speed and least deviated through a prism.
4) Violet colour travels with minimum speed and most deviated through a prism.
Rain bow
The rainbow is nature’s most spectacular display of the spectrum of light.
The phenomenon of rainbow is due to combined effect of dispersion, refraction and
reflection of sunlight by the spherical water droplets of rain.
Conditions to see a rainbow
1. The Sun should be shining in one part of the sky while it is raining in the opposite part
of the sky.
2. An observer back should be towards the sun.
Note: Formation of primary and secondary rainbows.
The primary rainbow is formed by rays which undergo one TIR and two refractions and
finally emerge from the raindrops at minimum deviation. The red rays emerge from the
waterdrops at one angle of 42° and the violet rays emerge at another angle of 40°. The
parallel beam of sunlight getting dispersed at these angles produces a cone of rays at the
observer eye. Thus, the rainbow is seen as a colorful are, with its inner edge violet and
outer edge red in colour.
The secondary rainbow is formed by the rays which undergo two internal reflections and
two refractions before emerging from the water drops at minimum deviation. Due to two
internal reflections, the sequence of colour in secondary rainbow is opposite to that in the
primary rainbow. Here the inner red rays emerge from the water drops at an angle of 50°
and the outer violet rays emerge at an angle of 53°
Compound Microscope
A compound microscope is an optical instrument used to see the magnified images
of tiny objects.
Ray diagram for image formation of a compound microscope in normal
adjustment( at near point) and its working.
The object AB to be viewed is placed slightly beyond the principal focus f 0 of the
objective. The objective forms an inverted, real and magnified image A1B1 lies within the
principal focus fe of the eyepiece. Now, the eyepiece behaves as a simple microscope or
magnifier. The position of the eyepiece is further adjusted so that if forms a virtual and
enlarged image A2B2 at the least distance of distinct vision D or near point of the eye.
This is the normal adjustment of the compound microscope.
Note:
The final image is inverted with respect to the object. It is virtual and magnified.
Magnifying power of a compound microscope (m)
It is defined as the ratio of the angle subtended at eye by the final virtual image to
the angle subtended at the eye by the object, when both are at the least distance of
distinct vision from the eye.
The total magnification of the compound microscope is
m = (magnifying power of objective) (magnifying power of eye piece)
m = m0 me
The magnifying power when the final image is formed at D is
m = m0 me
( )
The magnifying power when the image is formed at is
m = m0 me
( )
Note:
The magnifying power of a compound microscope depends on
1. Focal length of the objective lens (f0)
2. Focal length of the eye lens (fe)
Astronomical telescope
Astronomical telescope is a refracting type of telescope used to see heavenly bodies
like stars, planets, satellites etc.
Sri Narayana PU college, Malur Page 29
Ray optics and optical instruments
The final image formed is virtual, magnified and inverted with respect to the object.
Magnifying Power of a Telescope in normal adjustment
It is defined as the ratio of the angle subtended at the eye by the final image as seen
through the telescope to the angle subtended at the eye by the object seen directly,
when both the image and the object lie at infinity.
The expression for the magnifying power of a telescope is given by
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1 MARK:
1) What is reflection?
2) What is refraction?
3) When does Snell’s law of refraction fail?
4) Name the parameter which is remain same when light travels from one medium to
another?
5) Name the principle on which the optical fiber works?
6) Define critical angle for a pair of media?
7) What is mirage?
8) What is dispersion of light?
9) Define principle focus of a lens?
10) What are paraxial rays?
11) What are thin lens?
12) What is rainbow?
2MARKS:
13) State’s laws of reflection?
14) State’s laws of refraction?
15) Explain Total internal reflection?
16) Write two conditions for Total internal reflection?
17) Write two conditions for rainbow?
18) Write any two applications of optical fiber.
19) Define power of a lens and mention its S.I unit.
20) A lens has a focal length of 0.1 m. what is its power?
21) What is linear magnification and mention its expression?
22) Write any two differences between primary rainbow and secondary rainbow.
3 MARKS:
23) Prove that for a concave mirror.
24) Derive the expression for mirror equation in the case of concave mirror?
25) Derive the expression for equivalent focal length of combination of two thin convex
lenses in contact.
26) Draw a labeled ray diagram of a simple microscope for the image formation and
mention the expression for its magnifying power when the final image is at
a) Least distance of distinct vision. b) Infinity.
27) Draw a labeled ray diagram of a compound microscope for the image formation and
mention the expression for its magnifying power when the final image is at Least
distance of distinct vision.
28) Draw a labeled ray diagram of a telescope for the image formation at infinity.
5 MARKS
29) Derive relation between object distance (u) and image distance (v) in terms of
refractive index of the medium (n) and radius of curvature of the spherical surface (R).
30) Derive the lens maker’s formula for a convex lens.
31) Obtain the expression for the refractive index of the material of the prism in terms of
the angle of the prism and angle of minimum deviation.