Optics

by
Neeraj Mehta
Spherical surface
Spherical surfaces are the surfaces that are part of a
sphere. Spherical mirrors are an example of spherical
surfaces that reflect the light falling on them. Here, we
are going to focus on refraction at spherical surfaces.
There are two such spherical surfaces: convex and
concave.
Convex spherical surface
A convex surface is a surface that is curved outwards,
as shown in the below diagram:

u v
Concave spherical surface
A concave surface is a surface that is curved inwards,
as shown in the below diagram:

u
v
Refraction at a spherical surface
 Let us now see the refraction of light at the
spherical surface. Now, the change in direction
or bending of a light wave passing from one
transparent medium to another caused by the
change in wave’s speed is the Refraction.
Suppose the above figure is a spherical surface.
There is one medium with refractive index n1
and second medium with refractive index n2.
Refraction at a spherical surface
There is an object O and a ray of light from the object
O is incident on the convex spherical surface. Suppose
that n1 < n2, then it is moving from a rarer medium to a
denser medium, the ray bends towards the normal N.
An image is formed and radius of curvature of a
spherical surface is R with the center C of the spherical
surface.
The point object O is lying on the principal axis of the
spherical refracting surface. A ray of light passing
along the principal axis will pass straight, but a ray of
light incident on the spherical refracting surface at
∠NAO = i is refracted at ∠CAI = r, bending towards
normal. The two refracted rays actually meet at I,
where the image is formed. This is the real image of
object O.
Let the angle formed between the oblique incident
ray and the principal axis be α, the angle formed
between the oblique refracted ray and the principal
axis be β, and the angle formed between the normal
at the point of incidence (A) and the principal axis be
γ. Now, let us drop a perpendicular (AM) from the
point of incidence (A) to a point (M) on the principal
axis. From the ray diagram we get, ∠AOM = α,
∠AIM = β and ∠ACM = γ.
As the external angle of a triangle is equal to the sum
of the internal opposite angles, so γ is the external
angle of the ΔACI with r and β as the internal
opposite angles.
∴ γ = r + β or r = γ – β
Similarly, i will be the external angle of the ΔAOC
with α and γ as the internal opposite angles.
∴i=α+γ
Since angles i and r are small so we can assume sin i =
i and sin r = r. Thus, according to Snell’s law, we have
sin i v1  2 i 2
   
sin r v2 1 r 1
   
or  2 or    1     2
   1
Since angles α, β, and γ are also small so again we can
assume
tan    , tan    , and tan   
 AM AM AM
 ,  and  
OM MI MC
    1      2
 AM AM   AM AM 
   1    2
 OM MC   MC MI 
 1 1   1 1 
   1    2
 OM MC   MC MI 
Now, as M is close to P, so we can assume
MC ≈ PC, MI ≈ PI and OM ≈ OP
 1 1   1 1 
   1    2
 OP PC   PC PI 
Using the cartesian sign conventions, we get,
OP = – u, PI = + v and the PC = + R.
Putting these values in the above equation, we get
 1 1  1 1  or  1  1   2   2
    1      2 u R R v
 u R R v
 2 1  2  1
or  
v u R
This is the relation governing refraction from rarer to
denser medium at a convex spherical refracting surface.
It can be easily shown that in the case of the refraction
from rarer to denser medium at a concave spherical
surface, the same relation is obtained.
Focal length of spherical surface

If u = f1 and v = infinity, we have

2 1  2  1
  or
v u R
or
 Focal length of spherical surface

If u = infinity and v = f2, we have

2 1  2  1
  or
v u R
or Therefore
Spherical Mirrors
Mirrors, whose reflecting surfaces are spherical, are
called spherical mirrors. Spherical mirrors can be
thought of as a portion of a sphere that is sliced away
and then silvered on one of the sides to form a
reflecting surface.
Spherical Mirrors
A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surface is curved
inwards, i.e. faces towards the centre of the sphere, is
called a concave mirror.
Spherical Mirrors
A spherical mirror, whose reflecting surface is curved
outwards, is called a convex mirror.
Real Image
A real image is formed when light rays pass
through and diverge from the image point. Real
images can be displayed on screens
Virtual Image
A virtual image is formed when light rays do not
pass through the image point but only appear to
diverge from that point. Virtual Images can not be
displayed onto screens.
 Convex versus Concave Mirrors

Concave mirror Convex mirror

(a) Silver surface is (a) Silver surface is

away from the center of towards the center of
curvature. curvature.

(b) Focal length is (b) Focal length is

negative. positive.

(c) Reflecting surface is (c) Reflecting surface is

towards the center of away from the center of
curvature. curvature.
 Convex versus Concave Mirrors

1. Pole: It is the midpoint of a spherical mirror. It is

represented by the letter ‘P’.

2. Centre of Curvature: It is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is a part. The center of curvature is
denoted by “C’.
 Convex versus Concave Mirrors

3. The radius of Curvature: It is the distance between

the pole of a spherical mirror and the center of the
curvature. The radius of curvature is denoted by “R’.

4. Principal Axis: The straight line passing through the

pole of a spherical mirror and the center of curvature.
Image formation by concave mirror
(i) When the object is at infinity

When the object is at infinity from a concave mirror,

then its image is formed at F. The image is highly
diminished in size, inverted and real.
Image formation by concave mirror
(ii) When the object is between Infinity & C

When the object is between infinity and C of a

concave mirror, then its image is formed between C
and F. The image is smaller in size, inverted and real.
Image formation by concave mirror
(iii) When the object is at C

When the object is at C of a concave mirror, then its

image is formed at C. The image is of the same size,
inverted and real.
Image formation by concave mirror
(iv) When the object is between C & F

When the object is between C & F of a concave

mirror, then its image is formed beyond C. The image
is enlarged, inverted and real
Image formation by concave mirror
(v) When the object is at F

When the object is at F of a concave mirror, then its

image is formed at infinity. The image is highly
enlarged, inverted and real.
Image formation by concave mirror
(vi) When the object is between F and P

When the object is between F and P of a concave

mirror, then its image is formed behind the mirror.
The image is enlarged, erect and virtual.
Image formation by convex mirror
(i) When the object is at infinity

When the object is at infinity from a convex mirror,

then its image is formed at F. The image is formed
behind the mirror. The image is highly diminished,
erect and virtual.
Image formation by convex mirror
(ii) When the object is between Infinity and P

When the object is between infinity and P of a convex

mirror, then its image is formed between P and F. The
image is formed behind the mirror. The image is
smaller, erect and virtual.
 Convex versus Concave Mirrors

5. Aperture: It is the diameter of the reflecting surface

of a spherical mirror.

6. Focus: It is a point on the principal axis where the

light rays parallel to the principal axis converge (if it is
a concave mirror) or appear to diverge (if it is a convex
mirror) after getting reflected from the mirror.

7. Focal Length: It is denoted by the letter ‘f’. It is the

distance between the center of the mirror and the focal
point of the mirror. It is the point where a parallel beam
of light converges or diverges.
 Application of Convex Mirror
A convex mirror has a wider field of vision than a
plane mirror. Therefore, it is used as the side mirror of
a car, surveillance mirror in a shop and blind corner
mirror at a sharp bend road.
 Application of Concave Mirror
When the object is placed less than the focal length of a
concave mirror, a larger, upright and virtual image is
formed. In this case, concave mirror can be used as an
enlargement mirror.
Shaving mirror

Makeup mirror Dental mirror

 Convex Lens
The convex lens is a lens that converges rays of light
that convey parallel to its principal axis.
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
Convex Lens Image formation
 Concave Lens
The convex lens is a lens that diverges rays of light
that convey parallel to its principal axis.
Concave Lens Image formation
Concave Lens Image formation
Concave Lens Image formation
 Application of Convex Lens
Convex lenses are used in eyeglasses for correcting farsightedness or
hyperopia. In this eye problem, the distance between the eye's lens and
retina is too short, as a result of which the focal point lies behind the
retina. Thus, people have the ability to see things in the distance but not
close up.
Application of Convex Lens
Eyeglasses with convex lenses increase refraction, and accordingly
reduce the focal length so that the image is formed on the retina.

Hyperopia
correction by
Convex lens
Application of Concave Lens
Concave lenses are used in eyeglasses for correcting nearsightedness or
myopia. In this eye problem, the distance between the eye's lens and
retina is longer, as a result of which the focal point lies infront of the
retina. Thus, people have the ability to see objects at short distances but
not distant objects.
Application of Concave Lens
Eyeglasses with concave lenses reduce the refraction of light and
accordingly lengthen the focal length so that the image is formed on
the retina.

Myopia correction
by Concave lens