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LENS
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 Learning Objectives

• Describe the action of a thin converging lens

on a beam of light.
• Define the term focal length.
• Draw ray diagrams to illustrate the
formation of real and virtual images of an
object.
 What is a Lens?
• Is any piece of transparent glass or
plastic
• Is specially moulded such that it either
converges light rays passing through it
to a point or makes them more
divergent
• Via this process forms images.
 Converging VS Diverging Lens
Converging Lens
•Thicker in the middle than at the ends
Eg:

Diverging lens
•Thinner in the middle than at the ends
Eg:
 Converging VS Diverging Lens
Converging Lens
•Brings light rays travelling through it to
one point. i.e. converges the light rays
passing through it.

Diverging lens
•Spreads out the light rays travelling
through it. i.e. diverges the light rays
passing through it.
Main Features of a Thin Converging Lens

•Optical centre -
For a symmetrical lens, this is the point
midway between the lens surfaces on its
principal axis.

Optical Centre
Main Features of a Thin Converging Lens

•Principal axis -
This is the imaginary line passing
symmetrically through the optical
centre of the lens.
c

Principal axis
 Main Features of a Thin Converging Lens
•Principal focus (F) -
All rays travelling close to and parallel to the
principal axis will converge to a point on the
principal axis.This point is known as the
principal focus or focal point.

F
Main Features of a Thin Converging Lens
•Focal length (f)-
This is the distance between the optical
centre C and the principal focus F
Optical centre

Focal length (f)

Refraction due to Thin
Converging lens
Refraction Rules for a Converging Lens
RULE 1
A light ray travelling parallel to the principal axis
refracts through the lens and travels through the
focal point on the opposite side of the lens.
Refraction Rules for a Converging Lens
RULE 2
A light ray traveling through the focal point on
the way to the lens will refract through the lens
and travel parallel to the principal axis.
 Refraction Rules for a Converging Lens
RULE 3
Any ray that is either non-parallel to the
principal axis or that which does not
pass through the focal point will
converge at the same point as the rays
mentioned in rules 1 and 2 provided
they all emanate from the same point.
Object and Image Distance

Object Distance Image Distance

 Exercise
• Click on the link below and follow the
instructions on the next slide.

LENS
Instructions for using Lens Applet
Firstly,
• click and change the light rays to “Principal rays”
on the tab.
• Click and drag the Object to any position
• Observe how the image changes as your objects is
moved:
5. Towards the lens;
6. Away from the lens.
Instructions for using Lens Applet
Secondly,
• click and change the refractive index of the lens
by dragging on the tab.
• Observe how the image changes as your refractive
index of the lens
4. Is increased;
2. Is decreased.
Instructions for using Lens Applet
Finally,
• click and change the curvature radius of the lens
by dragging on the tab.
• Observe how the image changes as your radius of
the lens
4. Is increased;
5. Is decreased.

You may play with it and use what you have learnt
to answer the questions in Worksheet Set A.
 To Conclude
• Read the “Thin Converging Lenses Notes”
• Attempt Worksheet Set A , print it out and
submit on next lesson.