Optical Instruments

1. Chapter Overview
This chapter deals with how lenses and mirrors are combined to build practical devices — the
human eye, the magnifying glass, the compound microscope, and the astronomical telescope — and
how their magnifying/resolving abilities are calculated. NEET typically draws 1–2 direct numerical
questions from this chapter (microscope/telescope magnifying power, eye defect correction), so
mastering the magnification formulas and sign conventions is high-yield for low effort. It builds
directly on Ray Optics (lens formula, magnification, power of a lens), so those basics are assumed
known here.

2. Key Concepts & Definitions

Human Eye (as an optical instrument):
• Cornea – transparent front surface; most of the eye's refraction happens here.
• Eye lens (crystalline lens) – a flexible convex lens; ciliary muscles change its curvature
(and hence focal length) to focus objects at different distances on the retina. This adjustment
ability is called accommodation.
• Retina – light-sensitive screen at the back where a real, inverted image is formed; the brain
reinterprets it as erect.
• Near point (least distance of distinct vision, D) – closest point at which the eye can focus
comfortably without strain. Standard value used in NEET: D = 25 cm.
• Far point – farthest point a normal eye can see clearly; for a normal eye this is at infinity.
Common Eye Defects:
• Myopia (near-sightedness) – far point is finite (not at infinity); eyeball too long or lens too
converging. Distant objects focus before the retina. Corrected with a diverging (concave)
lens.
• Hypermetropia (far-sightedness / hyperopia) – near point is farther than 25 cm; eyeball
too short or lens too weak. Near objects focus behind the retina. Corrected with a
converging (convex) lens.
• Presbyopia – age-related weakening of accommodation (ciliary muscles/lens lose
flexibility); both near and far vision affected. Corrected with bifocal lenses.
• Astigmatism – unequal curvature of cornea in different planes, so horizontal and vertical
lines can't focus together. Corrected with a cylindrical lens.
Magnifying (Optical) Instruments:
• Simple microscope (magnifying glass) – a single convex lens used to view small nearby
objects; forms a virtual, erect, magnified image.
• Compound microscope – two convex lenses (objective, short focal length; eyepiece, larger
focal length) used together for very high magnification of tiny nearby objects.
 • Astronomical telescope – two convex lenses (objective, large focal length and large
aperture; eyepiece, small focal length) used to view distant large objects by increasing the
angle they subtend at the eye.
• Magnifying power (angular magnification), M – ratio of the angle subtended at the eye by
the final image (through the instrument) to the angle subtended at the eye by the object when
viewed directly (without the instrument), both measured from a comfortable reference
distance.
• Normal adjustment – the instrument is set so the final image forms at infinity, allowing
viewing with a fully relaxed eye (no accommodation).
• Resolving power – the ability of an optical instrument to produce distinctly separate images
of two closely spaced objects/points. It is the reciprocal of the minimum resolvable
separation (linear, for microscopes) or minimum resolvable angle (angular, for telescopes).

3. Formulas & Derivations

3.1 Power of a corrective lens
$$P(\text{dioptres}) = \dfrac{1}{f(\text{metres})}$$ Sign convention: convex (converging) lens →
f positive → P positive. Concave (diverging) lens → f negative → P negative.

3.2 Simple Microscope

Case A — Final image at the near point (D):
Without the lens, the largest angle an object of height h can subtend at the unaided eye is when it is
placed at the near point: $$\theta_{object} = \frac{h}{D}$$
With the lens, place the object at distance u from the lens (inside focal length) so that a virtual,
erect, magnified image forms at the near point, i.e. v = −D. Eye is held close to the lens, so the
angle subtended by the image equals: $$\theta_{image} = \frac{h}{|u|}$$ (This follows because the
image height h′ = h·(v/u), and the angle at the lens = h′/|v| = h/|u|.)
Magnifying power: $$M = \frac{\theta_{image}}{\theta_{object}} = \frac{D}{|u|}$$
Apply the lens formula (with sign convention: distances measured from lens, real is positive for a
real object on incoming side — using the standard Cartesian convention with v = −D, u negative): $
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f} ;\Rightarrow; \frac{1}{-D} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$
$ Solving for 1/|u| and substituting into M = D/|u| gives: $$\boxed{M = 1 + \frac{D}{f}}$$
Case B — Final image at infinity (normal adjustment, relaxed eye):
Object placed exactly at the focus (u = f). Then the image forms at infinity, and: $$\boxed{M =
\frac{D}{f}}$$
(Case B gives slightly less magnification than Case A but is far more comfortable for prolonged
viewing since the eye is relaxed.)

3.3 Compound Microscope

The objective (short f₀) forms a real, inverted, magnified image of the tiny object; this intermediate
image lies close to the focal plane of the eyepiece, which then acts as a simple microscope to
further magnify it.
Total magnifying power is the product of the two individual magnifications: $$M = m_o \times
M_e$$
where:
• $m_o = \dfrac{v_o}{u_o}$ = linear (transverse) magnification produced by the objective
• $M_e$ = angular magnification produced by the eyepiece (simple-microscope formulas
above)
Since the object is placed just outside the objective's focal length, $v_o \approx L$ (the tube length,
i.e., distance between the two lenses) and $u_o \approx f_o$, so: $$m_o \approx \frac{L}{f_o}$$
Final image at near point (D): $$\boxed{M = \frac{L}{f_o}\left(1 + \frac{D}{f_e}\right)}$$
Final image at infinity (normal adjustment): $$\boxed{M = \frac{L}{f_o} \cdot \frac{D}{f_e}}
$$
Here L is the separation between objective and eyepiece (tube length), f₀ and f_e are the objective
and eyepiece focal lengths respectively.

3.4 Astronomical Telescope

The object is at infinity, so the objective (large f₀) forms a real, inverted image at its own focal
plane. The eyepiece (small f_e) then magnifies this image as a simple microscope.
Derivation for normal adjustment (final image at infinity):
The object, being very far away, subtends the same small angle α at the unaided eye and at the
objective lens: $$\alpha = \frac{h}{f_o}$$ where h is the height of the intermediate real image
formed at the objective's focus (using small-angle approximation, image height = f₀ × α).
For normal adjustment, this intermediate image lies exactly at the eyepiece's focal point too (since
tube length L = f₀ + f_e), so the eyepiece produces a final image at infinity. The angle this final
image subtends at the eye: $$\beta = \frac{h}{f_e}$$
Magnifying power: $$M = \frac{\beta}{\alpha} = \frac{h/f_e}{h/f_o}$$ $$\boxed{M = \frac{f_o}
{f_e}} \quad (\text{negative sign shows the image is inverted})$$
Tube length in normal adjustment: $$\boxed{L = f_o + f_e}$$
Final image at near point D (eye accommodated maximally): $$\boxed{M = \frac{f_o}{f_e}
\left(1 + \frac{f_e}{D}\right)}$$ with tube length $L = f_o + u_e$, where $u_e$ is found from the
lens formula applied to the eyepiece with v = −D.

3.5 Resolving Power

Microscope (minimum resolvable linear separation between two points, by Rayleigh's criterion,
using numerical aperture n sinθ): $$d_{min} = \frac{1.22,\lambda}{2n\sin\theta} ;\Rightarrow;
\text{Resolving Power} = \frac{1}{d_{min}} = \frac{2n\sin\theta}{1.22,\lambda}$$ where λ =
wavelength of light used, n = refractive index of medium between object and objective, θ = half-
angle of the cone of light entering the objective.
Telescope (minimum resolvable angle between two distant point objects): $$d\theta_{min} =
\frac{1.22,\lambda}{a} ;\Rightarrow; \text{Resolving Power} = \frac{1}{d\theta_{min}} =
\frac{a}{1.22,\lambda}$$ where a = diameter (aperture) of the objective lens.
Key takeaway: larger aperture and shorter wavelength → smaller minimum resolvable
distance/angle → higher resolving power (better detail).

3.6 Correcting Eye Defects

Myopia: A concave lens is used so that parallel rays from a distant object (at infinity) appear to
diverge from the person's actual far point after passing through the lens. $$u = \infty, \quad v = -x ;
(\text{far point distance})$$ $$\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{-x} - 0$$ $$
\boxed{f = -x} \quad \Rightarrow \quad P = -\frac{1}{x},(\text{dioptres, } x \text{ in metres})$$
Hypermetropia: A convex lens is used so that an object placed at the normal near point (25 cm)
forms a virtual image at the person's actual (farther) near point, where the eye can focus. $$u =
-25\text{ cm} = -0.25\text{ m}, \quad v = -d ;(\text{person's actual near point, in m})$$ $$\frac{1}
{f} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{-d} - \frac{1}{-0.25}$$ $$\boxed{\frac{1}{f} =
\frac{1}{0.25} - \frac{1}{d}}$$

4. Diagrams Described
1. Human eye cross-section: Sketch an eyeball outline showing cornea (front curved surface),
iris/pupil, crystalline lens behind it, and retina lining the back curved wall. Show light rays
from an object converging through cornea and lens to a single point on the retina, forming a
small inverted real image there.
2. Simple microscope ray diagram: Convex lens with object O placed between the lens and
its focus F (inside f). Draw two rays from the top of the object: one parallel to the principal
axis refracting through F on the far side, another passing straight through the optical centre
undeviated. Extend both refracted rays backward (dashed lines) to meet on the same side as
the object — label this virtual, erect, magnified image I. Mark angle θ_image at the eye
(positioned just behind the lens) and compare with angle θ_object for the unaided eye view
at distance D.
3. Compound microscope ray diagram: Two convex lenses in a tube — objective (short
focal length, left, near tiny object) and eyepiece (larger focal length, right, near eye). Object
just outside f₀ of objective → real, inverted, magnified intermediate image I₁ forms inside
the tube near f_e of eyepiece. This I₁ acts as the object for the eyepiece, which forms a final
virtual, magnified image I₂ (further magnified, same inverted orientation as I₁) either at near
point D or at infinity. Label f_o, f_e, and tube length L between the lenses.
4. Astronomical telescope ray diagram (normal adjustment): Large-aperture, long-focal-
length objective on the left, small-focal-length eyepiece on the right, separated by L = f_o +
f_e. Parallel rays from a distant object enter the objective and converge to a real, inverted
image exactly at the common focal point of both lenses. This image acts as the object for the
eyepiece, which is positioned so this point is at its own focus, producing an emergent
parallel beam (final image at infinity). Mark angle α (angle subtended by distant object/at
objective) and angle β (angle subtended by final image at eyepiece), with β > α.
 5. Resolving power / Rayleigh criterion diagram: Two closely spaced point sources with
their diffraction patterns (central bright maxima with surrounding faint rings) shown
overlapping at the resolving limit — the peak of one pattern coinciding with the first
minimum of the other, illustrating "just resolved" condition.
6. Myopia and its correction: Two eye diagrams side by side. Left: myopic eye, parallel rays
from a distant object converging in front of the retina (uncorrected). Right: same eye with a
concave lens placed before it, diverging the rays slightly so they now converge exactly on
the retina.
7. Hypermetropia and its correction: Two eye diagrams side by side. Left: hypermetropic
eye, rays from a near object converging behind the retina (uncorrected). Right: same eye
with a convex lens placed before it, converging the rays additionally so the image now falls
exactly on the retina.

5. Solved Examples
Example 1 — Simple microscope, both cases A convex lens of focal length 5 cm is used as a
simple microscope. Find its magnifying power (a) when the final image is formed at the near point
(D = 25 cm), and (b) when the final image is at infinity.
Solution: (a) $M = 1 + \dfrac{D}{f} = 1 + \dfrac{25}{5} = 1 + 5 = 6$ (b) $M = \dfrac{D}{f} =
\dfrac{25}{5} = 5$
Example 2 — Compound microscope, normal adjustment A compound microscope has an
objective of focal length 1 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 5 cm. The distance between the two
lenses is 20 cm. Find the magnifying power for final image at infinity. (Take D = 25 cm.)
Solution: Tube length L ≈ distance between lenses = 20 cm (standard approximation used at this
level). $$M = \frac{L}{f_o}\cdot\frac{D}{f_e} = \frac{20}{1}\times\frac{25}{5} = 20 \times 5 =
100$$
Example 3 — Astronomical telescope, normal adjustment An astronomical telescope has an
objective of focal length 100 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 5 cm, in normal adjustment. Find
(a) its magnifying power, and (b) the length of the telescope tube.
Solution: (a) $M = \dfrac{f_o}{f_e} = \dfrac{100}{5} = 20$ (b) $L = f_o + f_e = 100 + 5 =
105\text{ cm}$
Example 4 — Telescope, final image at near point For the same telescope as Example 3 (f₀ = 100
cm, f_e = 5 cm), find the magnifying power if the final image is formed at the near point D = 25 cm
instead of at infinity.
Solution: $$M = \frac{f_o}{f_e}\left(1+\frac{f_e}{D}\right) = \frac{100}{5}\left(1 + \frac{5}
{25}\right) = 20 \times (1 + 0.2) = 20 \times 1.2 = 24$$
Example 5 — Correcting myopia A myopic person cannot see objects clearly beyond 40 cm.
What power of lens is required to correct this defect so they can see distant objects clearly?
Solution: Far point x = 40 cm = 0.40 m. Needed focal length: $$f = -x = -0.40\text{ m}$$ $$P =
\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{-0.40} = -2.5\text{ D}$$ A concave lens of power −2.5 D (focal length −40
cm) is required.
Example 6 — Correcting hypermetropia A hypermetropic person's near point is at 100 cm
instead of the normal 25 cm. What power of corrective lens is needed to read a book held at 25 cm?
Solution: u = −25 cm = −0.25 m, v = −100 cm = −1.00 m $$\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u}
= \frac{1}{-1.00} - \frac{1}{-0.25} = -1 + 4 = 3\text{ m}^{-1}$$ $$f = \frac{1}{3}\text{ m} =
+33.3\text{ cm}, \qquad P = +3\text{ D}$$ A convex lens of power +3 D is required.

6. Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• Confusing magnifying power (angular magnification) with ordinary linear magnification
(v/u) — the microscope/telescope formulas are angular magnifications, not simple v/u ratios.
• Forgetting the "+1" in the simple-microscope formula for the near-point case: $M = 1 +
D/f$, not $D/f$. The $D/f$ formula applies only to the infinity (normal adjustment) case.
• Mixing up which lens is objective vs eyepiece in a microscope (objective = short f, close to
tiny object) versus a telescope (objective = long f, large aperture, faces distant object).
• Using the wrong sign for the corrective lens: myopia → concave (negative f, negative P);
hypermetropia → convex (positive f, positive P). Reversing these is a very common error.
• In the hypermetropia formula, forgetting that the object is always placed at the normal near
point (25 cm) — students sometimes plug in the patient's own (farther) near point as u by
mistake.
• Forgetting that telescope tube length in normal adjustment is the sum $f_o + f_e$, while for
the compound microscope it is not simply $f_o + f_e$; L is the actual separation between
the lenses (and $v_o \approx L$ only approximately, since the intermediate image is not
exactly at the eyepiece lens).
• Not converting focal length to metres before computing power P = 1/f — a very frequent
unit-conversion slip.
• Assuming resolving power always improves in the same direction as magnifying power —
they are governed by different quantities (aperture/wavelength vs. focal length ratios) and
increasing one does not automatically increase the other.

7. Quick Revision Summary

Quantity Formula
Power of a lens $P = 1/f$ (f in metres, dioptres)
Simple microscope, image at D $M = 1 + D/f$
Simple microscope, image at ∞ $M = D/f$
Compound microscope, image at D $M = \dfrac{L}{f_o}\left(1+\dfrac{D}{f_e}
\right)$
Compound microscope, image at ∞ $M = \dfrac{L}{f_o}\cdot\dfrac{D}{f_e}$
Telescope, normal adjustment $M = f_o/f_e$, $L = f_o+f_e$
Telescope, image at D $M = \dfrac{f_o}{f_e}\left(1+\dfrac{f_e}{D}
\right)$
Quantity Formula
Resolving power (microscope) $\dfrac{2n\sin\theta}{1.22\lambda}$
Resolving power (telescope) $\dfrac{a}{1.22\lambda}$
Myopia correction $f = -x$ (x = far point)
Hypermetropia correction $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{0.25} - \dfrac{1}{d}
$ (d = actual near point, m)
Standard near point D = 25 cm

Remember: objective of microscope = short f (near tiny object); objective of telescope = long f,
large aperture (faces distant object). Myopia → concave lens; Hypermetropia → convex lens.

8. Practice MCQs
1. The magnifying power of a simple microscope when the final image is formed at infinity is
given by: (a) $1 + D/f$ (b) $D/f$ (c) $f/D$ (d) $1 - D/f$
2. A person cannot see objects clearly beyond 2 m. To correct this defect, the power of the lens
required is: (a) +0.5 D (b) −0.5 D (c) +2 D (d) −2 D
3. In an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment, the distance between the objective and
the eyepiece is: (a) $f_o - f_e$ (b) $f_o + f_e$ (c) $f_o \times f_e$ (d) $f_o / f_e$
4. The objective lens of a compound microscope, compared to its eyepiece, has: (a) a longer
focal length (b) a shorter focal length (c) equal focal length (d) no fixed relation
5. A convex lens of focal length 4 cm is used as a simple magnifier. The magnifying power for
the image formed at the near point (D = 25 cm) is: (a) 5.25 (b) 6.25 (c) 7.25 (d) 8.25
6. Hypermetropia is corrected using a: (a) concave lens (b) convex lens (c) cylindrical lens (d)
bifocal lens with equal powers
7. The resolving power of a telescope increases if: (a) aperture of the objective is decreased (b)
wavelength of light is increased (c) aperture of the objective is increased (d) focal length of
the eyepiece is increased
8. In a compound microscope, the final image formed is: (a) real and erect (b) virtual and erect
(c) real and inverted (d) virtual and inverted (relative to the object)
9. The near point of a hypermetropic eye is 1 m. The power of the lens required to enable the
eye to read a book at 25 cm is: (a) +1 D (b) +2 D (c) +3 D (d) +4 D
[Link] a telescope, increasing the focal length of the objective while keeping the eyepiece fixed
will: (a) decrease the magnifying power (b) increase the magnifying power (c) not affect the
magnifying power (d) invert the direction of magnification

Answer Key
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (b)