Chapter 5: Light and Vision

CHAPTER 5: LIGHT AND VISION

Physics

SPM 2015

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:
Same
Image is exactly the same size as the object
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
Inverted
Image appears upside down compared to object
Real
Real images are images you can capture on a screen.
Type
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
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

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2015

5.1.3 Curved Mirrors vs Lenses

Concave mirror

Also known as
Focal lengths

Converging mirrors
Positive
E.g. f = +20cm.

Convex mirror

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

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

Also known as
Focal lengths

Concave lens

Converging lens
Positive
E.g. f = +20cm.

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

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
Convex mirror

A ray through C is reflected back

along its own path

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

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 Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2015
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
Concave lens

A ray through C travels straight

along its own path

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 2015

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

Images formed by a Concave Mirror / Convex Lens

Ray diagram of concave mirrors
Ray diagram of convex
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 mirror
Ray diagram of concave lens

Characteristics of
image
Virtual
Upright
Diminished

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Chapter 5: Light and Vision

Physics SPM 2015

SUMMARY OF COMPARISON OF IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics of concave mirrors are the same as convex lenses:

Lens / Mirror

2f

Real, Inverted
Diminished

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 2015

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

5.1.5 Lens Power

1
f

where P = lens power [D]

f = focal length [m]

P
OR

Image distance, v
If positive: real image
If negative: virtual image

100
f

where 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.

|m| > 1: magnified

|m| = 1: same size
|m| < 1: diminished

hi v

ho u

where m = linear magnification

hi = height of image
ho = height of object
5.1.7

If m is negative, take
the modulus value

Application of Lenses

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

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2015

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 to When a light ray travels from medium C to
medium B which is optically denser than A
medium D which is optically denser than C

The ray of light will refract towards normal; r < i

The ray of light will refract away from 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
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:
n =

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
=

(where c is the critical angle)

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 Physics

Chapter 5: Light and Vision

SPM 2015

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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