DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, GANDHINAGAR

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Class : XII A/B Subject : Physics
Summary

1 Reflection By Convex and Concave Mirrors.
Mirror formula
f u v
1 1 1
= + , where u is the object distance, v is the image distance and f is the focal length.
Magnification
u f
f
f
v f
u
v
m

= = .
m is -ve for real images and +ve for virtual images.
2 Refraction
Ray of light bends when it enters from one medium to the other, having different optical densities.
Sun can be seen before actual sunrise and after actual sunset due to Atmospheric refraction
An object under water ( any medium ) appears to be raised due to refraction when observed inclined
Re

al depth
n
apparent depth
= and
Shift in the position (apparent) of object is X = t { 1 1/n) where t is the actual depth of the medium

Snells law states that for a given colour of light, the ratio of sine of the angle of incidence to sine of angle of
refraction is a constant, when light travels from rarer to denser,
2
1

sin
n sin i
r n
=
Absolute refractive index is the ratio between the velocities of light in vacuum to the velocity of light in medium.
For air n=1.
c
n
v
=
3 When a ray of light travels from denser to rarer medium and if the angle of incidence is greater than critical
angle, the ray of light is reflected back to the denser medium. This phenomenon is called Total internal reflection.
D
R
n
n
SinC=
Diamond has a high refractive index, resulting with a low critical angle (C=24.4
0
). This promotes a multiple total
internal reflection causing its brilliance and luster.
Some examples of total internal reflection are formation of mirage and working of an optical fibre.
4 When light falls on a convex refracting surface, it bends and the relation between U, V and R is given by
2 1 2 1
n n n n
V u R

=
5 Lens makers formula or thin lens formula is given by
2 1
1 1 2
1 1 1 n n
f n R R
| || |
=
| |
\ .\ .

For Convex Lens R1 +ve ;R2 ve Concave lens R1-ve; R2 +ve
The way in which a lens behaves as converging or diverging depends upon the values of nL and nm.
6 When two lenses are kept in contact the equivalent focal length is given by

1

=
1

1
+
1

2
=
1
+
2

7
Thin lens formula is given by
f u v
1 1 1
=
8 When light passes through a glass prism it undergoes refraction.
The expression for refractive index is
2
2
m
A D
Sin
n
A
Sin
+ | |
|
\ .
=
| |
|
\ .

As the angle of incidence increases, the angle of deviation decreases, reaches a
minimum value and then increases. This minimum value is called angle of minimum deviation Dm.
9 For a small angled prism d=(n-1)A
10
Angular dispersion,

= (

)
11 When white light (poly chromatic or composite) is passed through a glass prism, It splits up into its component
colours (Monochromatic). This phenomenon is called Dispersion.
12 Rainbow is formed due to a combined effect of dispersion, refraction and reflection of sunlight by spherical water
droplets of rain.
13 Scattering of light takes place when size of the particle is very small when compared to the wavelength of light
Intensity of scattered light is
4
1
Io

The following properties or phenomena can be explained by scattering.
(i) Sky is blue.
(ii) Sky is reddish at the time of sunrise and sunset
(iii) Infra-red photography used in foggy days.
(iv) Orange colour of black Box
(v) Yellow light used in vehicles on foggy days.
(vi) Red light used in signals.
14 Optical Instrument
- Human eye:
- Eye lens: crystalline
- Cilliary muscles: lens is held in position by these.
- Iris: Circular contractible diaphragm with an aperture near the centre.
- Pupil: the circular aperture is pupil. It adjusts controlling light entering the eye.
- Power of accommodation: ability of pupil for adjusting focal length.
- Far point: the maximum distant point that an eye can see clearly.
- Near point: closest distant that eye lens can focus on the retina.
- Range of vision: distant between near point and far point.
15 Defects
Myopia: image formed in front of the retina.
Cause: (i) elongation of eye ball, or (ii) decrease in the maximum possible focal length of the eye lens.
Correction: using concave lens.
If far point be at distance x from the eye, then focal length of correcting lens used will be = .
Hypermetropia- image behind the retina.
Cause: (i) contraction of eyeball or (ii) increase in the maximum possible focal length of the eye.
Correction: using convex lens.
If the actual distance of distinct vision be d, and that for the normal eye be D, the focal length of the correcting
lens is
1

=
1

Presbiopia-low power of accommodation. Correction-bifocal lens.
Astigmatism-cornea has different curvature in different direction. Correction-using cylindrical Lens.
16
Simple microscope
When the final image is formed at the least distance of distinct vision, the magnifying power is
= 1 +

.
When the final image is formed at infinity, the magnifying power is, =

.



17
Compound microscope
Magnifying power, =

When the final image is formed at the least distance of distinct vision,
=

(1 +

) = /

(1 +

)
When the final image is formed at infinity,
=

18
Astronomical telescope
In normal adjustment, =

, distance between objective and eyepiece=

When the final image is formed at the least distance of distinct vision,
=

(1 +

) =

+ =

+

19
Reflecting Telescope
=

=
/2

Where

=

20.
Resolving power of microscope and telescope
a. Limit of resolution of a telescope,
= 1.22

=
b. Resolving power of a telescope,
=
1

1.22

c. Limit of resolution of a microscope,
=
1.22
2

d. Resolving power of a microscope,
=
1

=
2 sin
1.22

Where = half angle of cone of light from the point object.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, GANDHINAGAR
Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Class : XII A/B Subject : Physics



1. Can the relative refractive index of a medium w.r.t. another medium be less than unity?
2. How does the frequency of a beam of ultraviolet light change when it goes from air into glass?
3. A converging lens is kept coaxially in contact with a diverging lens-both of equal focal lengths. What will
be the focal length of the combination?

4. You are given following three lenses. Which two lenses will you use as an eyepiece and as an objective to
construct an astronomical telescope?
Lens Power (P) Aperture (A)

1
3 D 8 cm

2
6 D 1 cm

3
10 D 1 cm

5. A double convex lens, made from a material of refractive index
1
, is immersed in a liquid of refractive
index
2
where
2
>
1
. What change, would occur in the nature of the lens?

6.
A ray of light, incident on an equilateral glass prism = 3 moves parallel to the base of the
prism inside it. What is the angle of incidence for this ray?

7. Although the surfaces of a goggle lens are curved it does not have any power. Why?
8. A ray of light falls on a transparent right angled isosceles prism made from a glass of refractive index 2.
Draw the ray diagram for this prism when the incident ray falls normally on one of the equal sides of this
prism.

9. What happens to the shining of diamond if it is dipped in a transparent oil?
10. An object is first seen in red light and then in violet light through a simple microscope. In which case is
the magnifying power of simple microscope greater?

11. Can a microscope function as a telescope by inverting it? Can a telescope function as a microscope?
12. A telescope has been adjusted for the relaxed eye. You are asked to adjust it for the least distance of
distinct vision, then how will you change the distance between the two lenses?

13. A double convex lens of glass of refractive index 1.6 has its both surfaces of equal radii of curvature of 30
cm each. An object of height 5 cm is placed at a distance of 12.5 cm from the lens. Calculate the size of
the image formed. (Ans 12.5 cm)

14. A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0cm and an eyepiece of focal length
6.25cm separated by a distance of 15cm. How far from the objective should an object be placed in order
to obtain the final image at (a) the least distance of distinct vision? (b) at infinity? What is the magnifying
power of the microscope in each case?

15. A converging lens has a focal length of 20 cm in air. It is made of a material of refractive index 1.6. If it
is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.3, what will be its new focal length? (Ans 52 cm)