Physics (5054)

LENSES

• Describe what is meant by a convex lens.

• Draw ray diagrams to show the position and nature of
the image produced by a convex (converging lens).
 Refraction
Air

Light slows and bends

Glass towards the normal

block

Light speeds up and

bends away from the
normal
A Lens is a clear plastic or glass
with curved surface that bends
light and form images.
Lenses are used in
 There are two types of lenses
Convex Lens Concave Lens
(converging) (diverging)

Convex lenses are thicker at the Concave lenses are thicker at the
center than at the edges. edges than at the center.
 There are two types of lenses

When rays of light passes through When rays of light passes through
a convex lens they converge. a concave lens they diverge.
 Convex lens

This shows the symbol for the

convex lens.
All lenses refract light.
The light ray bends towards the
normal when it passes into the
lens……
 … and then away from the
normal when it passes out of the
lens.
Convex Lens (converging)

This shows parallel rays of light

passing through a convex lens.
 Convex Lens (converging)

The centre ray passes through the

lens without being refracted.
 Convex Lens (converging)

That is because this ray is passing

directly along the normal.
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal axis

We say that this ray is passing

along the principal axis.
(the centre of the lens)
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal axis

All of the other rays refract and

are focused at a point.
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal
focus (F)

Principal axis

We call this the

principal focus (F)
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal
focus (F)

Principal axis

Focal length (f )

The distance from the centre of

the lens to the principal focus is
called the focal length (f).
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal
focus (F)

Principal axis

Focal length (f )

Different convex lenses have

different focal lengths depending
on the strength of the lens.
 Convex Lens (converging)

2F F F 2F

Now we are going to look at how

to produce a ray diagram for a
convex lens.
 Convex Lens (converging)

2F F F 2F

We are going to start by placing

the object more than 2 focal
lengths away from the lens.
 Convex Lens (converging)

2F F F 2F

The image is: 2

• Inverted i.e. upside down.
• Diminished i.e. smaller than the object.
• Real i.e. it can be projected onto a screen.
 Convex Lens (converging)

2F

2F F F

The image is:

• Inverted i.e. upside down.

• Same size as the object.
• Real i.e. it can be projected onto a screen.
 Convex Lens (converging)

2F F F 2F

The image is:

• Inverted i.e. upside down.

• Larger than the object.
• Real i.e. it can be projected onto a screen.
Examination Questions
Examination Questions
Examination Questions
 Convex Lens (converging)

Principal Principal
focus (F) focus (F)

Principal axis

2F F 2F
F

Focal length (f)

Optical Centre
(C)