UNIT 9: RAY OPTICS AND OPTICAL
INSTRUMENTS (PART 3)
9.31 POWER OF A LENS
Power of a lens is defined as the ability of the lens to converge or diverge a
beam of light falling on it. It is measured as the reciprocal of the focal length
( f ) of the lens in metres.
1 100
P= or P=
f ( in metres ) f ( in cm )
S.I. Unit: Dioptre (D).
Sign Convention: Power is positive for a converging (convex) lens
and negative for a diverging (concave) lens.
9.32 COMBINATION OF THIN LENSES IN CONTACT
When two or more thin lenses are placed in contact, the equivalent focal
length ( F ) and power ( P) of the combination are given by:
1 1 1
1. Equivalent Focal Length: = + +…
F f1 f2
2. Equivalent Power: P=P1 + P2 +… (Algebraic sum)
3. Total Magnification: m=m1 ×m2 × …
9.36 PRISM
A prism is a portion of a transparent medium bounded by two plane faces
inclined to each other at a suitable angle.
Angle of Prism (A): The angle between the two refracting faces.
9.37 REFRACTION THROUGH A PRISM
When a ray of light passes through a prism, it suffers two refractions and
deviates from its original path.
Key Relations:
1. A=r 1 +r 2
2. δ=( i+e ) − A
o Where i = angle of incidence, e = angle of emergence, and δ =
angle of deviation.
Angle of Minimum Deviation (δ m)
For a particular angle of incidence, the deviation produced by the prism is
minimum. At this position:
A
i=e and r 1=r 2=r=
2
The refracted ray is parallel to the base of the prism.
Prism Formula:
μ=
sin ( A+ δ m
2 )
sin ( A2 )
9.39 DISPERSION OF LIGHT
The phenomenon of splitting of a beam of white light into its constituent
colours (V I BG Y O R ) on passing through a prism.
Cause: Different colours of light have different wavelengths and travel
with different speeds in glass, leading to different refractive indices
and angles of deviation (δ V >δ R ).
9.42 SCATTERING OF LIGHT
When sunlight travels through the earth’s atmosphere, it gets scattered by
atmospheric molecules and dust particles.
Rayleigh’s Law of Scattering: The intensity of scattered light ( I ) varies
inversely as the fourth power of the wavelength ( λ ) of incident light.
1
I∝ 4
λ
Phenomena based on Scattering:
1. Blue colour of sky: Blue light has a shorter wavelength and is
scattered much more than red light.
2. Reddish appearance of Sun at sunrise/sunset: Light has to travel
a long distance; shorter wavelengths (blue) are scattered away,
leaving mostly red light to reach our eyes.
3. Clouds appear white: Large particles (dust, water droplets) scatter
all wavelengths equally ( M I E scattering).
9.44 COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
Used for observing highly magnified images of tiny objects. It consists of two
converging lenses: Objective (short focal length and small aperture) and
Eyepiece (moderate focal length and large aperture).
Total Magnification ( M ):
1. When final image is at D (Least distance of distinct vision):
( )
vo D
M =mo × me = 1+
−u o fe
2. When final image is at infinity (Normal adjustment):
( )
vo D − L D
M= ≈
−u o f e fo f e
(Where L is the length of the tube).
9.45 ASTRONOMICAL TELESCOPE
Used for observing distinct images of heavenly bodies like stars and planets.
It consists of an Objective (large focal length and large aperture) and an
Eyepiece (small focal length and small aperture).
Magnifying Power ( M ):
1. Final image at infinity (Normal adjustment):
−fo
M=
fe
Length of tube L=f o + f e
2. Final image at D :
M=
−fo
fe ( )
1+
fe
D
9.46 REFLECTING TYPE TELESCOPE (CASSEGRAIN)
Uses a concave parabolic mirror as the objective instead of a lens.
Advantages: No chromatic aberration, reduced spherical aberration,
high resolving power, and mirrors are easier to support mechanically
than large lenses.
This concludes the structured notes for the Ray Optics chapter from the
provided images. Would you like me to compile a Formula Sheet or a list of
Important Definitions separately for quick revision?