Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2013

CHAPTER 5: LIGHT AND VISION

These notes have been compiled in a way to make it easier for revision. The
topics are not in order as per the syllabus.
5.1

Mirrors and Lenses

5.1.1 Image Characteristics

Image characteristics are described using the following three categories:
Image is exactly the same size as the object
Same
Size
Magnified Image appears bigger than the object
Diminished Image appears smaller than the object
Image appears to be in the same direction as the object
Direction Upright
Image appears upside down compared to object
Inverted
Real images are images you can capture on a screen.
Real
Type
Virtual

Mirrors: Images are formed on the same side of the mirror as the object
Lenses: Images are formed on the opposite side of the lens from the object
Virtual images are images you can see but cannot capture on a screen.
Mirrors: Images are formed on the opposite side of the mirror from the object
Lenses: Images are formed on the same side of the lens as the object

5.1.2 Plane mirrors

Incident ray

normal

Reflected ray

Law of light reflection:

The reflected angle is always the same as the incident angle.
The incident ray, reflected ray, and normal line are in the same plane.
Characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror:
Size
Same
Direction
Upright, laterally inverted
Type
Virtual
Distance
Distance of an image from the plane mirror is the same as the distance of
the object from the mirror

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 Physics

SPM 2013

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

5.1.3 Curved Mirrors vs Lenses

Concave mirror

Also known
as
Focal
lengths

Convex mirror

Converging mirrors

Diverging mirror

Positive
E.g. f = +20cm.

Negative
E.g. f = -20cm.

Convex lens

Also known Converging lens

as
Focal
Positive
lengths
E.g. f = +20cm.

Concave lens

Diverging lens
Negative
E.g. f = -20cm.

For both concave and convex mirrors, the focal length is half the radius; i.e. CF = FP.

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 Physics

SPM 2013

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

Determining the Position and Characteristics of an Image with a Ray Diagram

Concave mirror

A ray parallel to the

principal axis is reflected to
pass through F

A ray through F is reflected

parallel to the principal axis

A ray through C is reflected

back along its own path

Convex mirror

A ray parallel to the

principal axis is reflected as if
it came from F

A ray towards F is reflected

parallel to the principal axis

A ray towards C is reflected

back along its own path

Convex lens

A ray parallel to the

principal axis is refracted to
pass through F

A ray through F is refracted

parallel to the principal axis

A ray through C travels

straight along its own path

Concave lens

A ray parallel to the

principal axis is refracted as if
it came from F

A ray towards F is refracted

parallel to the principal axis

A ray towards C travels

straight along its own path

To determine the position and characteristics of an image using a ray diagram:

1. Draw two rays emanating from the top of the object to the mirror or lens, and using the guide in the table
above, draw their reflected/refracted paths.
2. The image is produced at the intersection of the two reflected/refracted rays.

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 Physics

Position of
object
Between F
and
the
mirror
/
lens

SPM 2013

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

Images formed by a Concave Mirror / Convex Lens

Ray diagram of concave
Ray diagram of convex
mirrors
lenses

Characteristics
of image
Virtual
Upright
Magnified

At F

Virtual
Upright
Magnified
At infinity

Real
Inverted
Magnified

Between F
and C/ 2F

Real
Inverted
Same size

At C / 2F

Real
Inverted
Diminished

Greater
than C / 2F

At infinity

Real
Inverted
Diminished

Position of
object
Anywhere
in front of
the mirror
or lens

Images formed by a Convex Mirror / Concave lens

Ray diagram of convex
Ray diagram of concave
mirror
lens

Characteristics
of image
Virtual
Upright
Diminished

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 Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2013

SUMMARY OF COMPARISON OF IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics of concave mirrors are the same as convex lenses:
Lens / Mirror

2f
Real, Inverted
Diminished

f
Virtual, Upright
Magnified

Same size

Object distance Image characteristics

u=
Real Inverted Diminished
u > 2f
Real Inverted Diminished
u = 2f
Real Inverted Same Size
f < u < 2f
Real Inverted Magnified
u=f
Virtual Upright Magnified
u<f
Virtual Upright Magnified

Characteristics of convex mirrors are the same as concave lenses:

Virtual, Upright, Diminished

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 Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2013

5.1.4 Lens Equation

Focal length, f
Convex lens: positive
Concave lens: negative

1 1 1

u v f
where

u = object distance [cm]

v = image distance [cm]
f = focal length of lens [cm]

Object distance, u
Always positive
Image distance, v
If positive: real image
If negative: virtual image

5.1.5 Lens Power

P
where

1
f

P = lens power [D]

f = focal length [m]

P
OR
where

100
f

P = lens power [D]

f = focal length [cm]

5.1.6 Linear Magnification

Linear magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.
h
v
m i
ho u
where

m = linear magnification
hi = height of image
ho = height of object

5.1.7

Application of Lenses

m > 1: magnified
m = 1: same size
m < 1: diminished

Complex Microscope
fo < fe

Astronomical Telescope
fo > f e
Magnification =

fo
fe

Normal setting:
Length between lenses = fo + fe

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 Physics

5.2

SPM 2013

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

Refraction and Total Internal Reflection

Light refraction is a phenomenon where the direction of light is changed when it crosses the
boundary between two materials of different optical densities. It occurs as a result of a
change in the speed of light as it passes from one medium to another.
When a light ray travels from medium A When a light ray travels from medium C
to medium B which is optically denser to medium D which is optically denser
than A
than C

The ray of light will refract towards The ray of light will refract away from
normal; r < i
normal; r > i
When a light ray crosses the boundary between two different mediums at a right
angle

i = 0, r = 0
5.2.1 Snells Law
Snells Law states that the ratio of sin i to sin r is a constant.
sin i
= constant
sin r

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 Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2013

5.2.2 Refractive Index

The refractive index or index of refraction of a medium is equivalent to the optical density of
a medium.
Note: A material with greater density may not necessarily have greater optical density.
The refractive index / index of refraction of a medium, n can be calculated as:

sin i
sin r
speed of light in air, c
=
speed of light in the medium, v
actual depth, D
=
apparent depth, d
1
=
sin c

n =

(where c is the critical angle)

5.2.3 Total Internal Reflection

Critical angle, c is the value of the

incident angle when the refracted angle is
90.

When i is increased to be greater than

c, the light will be complete reflected
back into the material. No light will
be refracted.
This phenomenon is known as total
internal reflection.

Conditions for total internal reflection:

1. Light must be traveling from an optically denser medium to a less dense medium.
2. The incident angle must be greater than the critical angle.
END OF CHAPTER

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