Ray Optics And Optical Instruments (Physics)

Question 9.1:

A small candle, 2.5 cm in size is placed at 27 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 36
cm. At what distance from the mirror should a screen be placed in order to obtain a sharp image?
Describe the nature and size of the image. If the candle is moved closer to the mirror, how would the
screen have to be moved?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Size of the candle, h = 2.5 cm

Image size = h’

Object distance, u = −27 cm

Radius of curvature of the concave mirror, R = −36 cm

Focal length of the concave mirror,

Image distance = v

The image distance can be obtained using the mirror formula:

 Therefore, the screen should be placed 54 cm away from the mirror to obtain a sharp image.

The magnification of the image is given as:

The height of the candle’s image is 5 cm. The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted and
virtual.

If the candle is moved closer to the mirror, then the screen will have to be moved away from the
mirror in order to obtain the image.

Question 9.2:

A 4.5 cm needle is placed 12 cm away from a convex mirror of focal length 15 cm. Give the location of
the image and the magnification. Describe what happens as the needle is moved farther from the
mirror.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Height of the needle, h1 = 4.5 cm

Object distance, u = −12 cm

Focal length of the convex mirror, f = 15 cm

Image distance = v
 The value of v can be obtained using the mirror formula:

Hence, the image of the needle is 6.7 cm away from the mirror. Also, it is on the other side of the
mirror.

The image size is given by the magnification formula:

Hence, magnification of the image,

The height of the image is 2.5 cm. The positive sign indicates that the image is erect, virtual, and
diminished.

If the needle is moved farther from the mirror, the image will also move away from the mirror, and
the size of the image will reduce gradually.

Question 9.3:

A tank is filled with water to a height of 12.5 cm. The apparent depth of a needle lying at the bottom
of the tank is measured by a microscope to be 9.4 cm. What is the refractive index of water? If water
is replaced by a liquid of refractive index 1.63 up to the same height, by what distance would the
microscope have to be moved to focus on the needle again?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Actual depth of the needle in water, h1 = 12.5 cm

Apparent depth of the needle in water, h2 = 9.4 cm

Refractive index of water = μ

The value of μcan be obtained as follows:

Hence, the refractive index of water is about 1.33.

Water is replaced by a liquid of refractive index,

The actual depth of the needle remains the same, but its apparent depth changes. Let y be the new
apparent depth of the needle. Hence, we can write the relation:

Hence, the new apparent depth of the needle is 7.67 cm. It is less than h2. Therefore, to focus the
needle again, the microscope should be moved up.

Distance by which the microscope should be moved up = 9.4 − 7.67

= 1.73 cm

Question 9.4:

Figures 9.34(a) and (b) show refraction of a ray in air incident at 60° with the normal to a glass-air
and water-air interface, respectively. Predict the angle of refraction in glass when the angle of
incidence in water is 45º with the normal to a water-glass interface [Fig. 9.34(c)].
 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

As per the given figure, for the glass − air interface:

Angle of incidence, i = 60°

Angle of refraction, r = 35°

The relative refractive index of glass with respect to air is given by Snell’s law as:

As per the given figure, for the air − water interface:

Angle of incidence, i = 60°

Angle of refraction, r = 47°

The relative refractive index of water with respect to air is given by Snell’s law as:

Using (1) and (2), the relative refractive index of glass with respect to water can be obtained as:
 The following figure shows the situation involving the glass − water interface.

Angle of incidence, i = 45°

Angle of refraction = r

From Snell’s law, r can be calculated as:

Hence, the angle of refraction at the water − glass interface is 38.68°.

Question 9.5:

A small bulb is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm. What is the area
of the surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge out? Refractive index of water is
1.33. (Consider the bulb to be a point source.)

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Actual depth of the bulb in water, d1 = 80 cm = 0.8 m

Refractive index of water,

The given situation is shown in the following figure:

Where,

i = Angle of incidence

r = Angle of refraction = 90°

Since the bulb is a point source, the emergent light can be considered as a circle of radius,

Using Snell’ law, we can write the relation for the refractive index of water as:

Using the given figure, we have the relation:

R = tan 48.75° × 0.8 = 0.91 m

Area of the surface of water = πR2 = π (0.91)2 = 2.61 m2

Hence, the area of the surface of water through which the light from the bulb can emerge is
approximately 2.61 m2.

Question 9.6:

A prism is made of glass of unknown refractive index. A parallel beam of light is incident on a face of
the prism. The angle of minimum deviation is measured to be 40°. What is the refractive index of the
 material of the prism? The refracting angle of the prism is 60°. If the prism is placed in water
(refractive index 1.33), predict the new angle of minimum deviation of a parallel beam of light.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Angle of minimum deviation, = 40°

Angle of the prism, A = 60°

Refractive index of water, µ = 1.33

Refractive index of the material of the prism =

The angle of deviation is related to refractive index as:

Hence, the refractive index of the material of the prism is 1.532.

Since the prism is placed in water, let be the new angle of minimum deviation for the same prism.

The refractive index of glass with respect to water is given by the relation:
 Hence, the new minimum angle of deviation is 10.32°.

Question 9.7:

Double-convex lenses are to be manufactured from a glass of refractive index 1.55, with both faces of
the same radius of curvature. What is the radius of curvature required if the focal length is to be 20
cm?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Refractive index of glass,

Focal length of the double-convex lens, f = 20 cm

Radius of curvature of one face of the lens = R1

Radius of curvature of the other face of the lens = R2

Radius of curvature of the double-convex lens = R

The value of R can be calculated as:

 Hence, the radius of curvature of the double-convex lens is 22 cm.

Question 9.8:

A beam of light converges at a point P. Now a lens is placed in the path of the convergent beam 12 cm
from P. At what point does the beam converge if the lens is (a) a convex lens of focal length 20 cm,
and (b) a concave lens of focal length 16 cm?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

In the given situation, the object is virtual and the image formed is real.

Object distance, u = +12 cm

(a) Focal length of the convex lens, f = 20 cm

Image distance = v

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Hence, the image is formed 7.5 cm away from the lens, toward its right.

(b) Focal length of the concave lens, f = −16 cm

Image distance = v
 According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Hence, the image is formed 48 cm away from the lens, toward its right.

Question 9.9:

An object of size 3.0 cm is placed 14 cm in front of a concave lens of focal length 21 cm. Describe the
image produced by the lens. What happens if the object is moved further away from the lens?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Size of the object, h1 = 3 cm

Object distance, u = −14 cm

Focal length of the concave lens, f = −21 cm

Image distance = v

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Hence, the image is formed on the other side of the lens, 8.4 cm away from it. The negative sign
shows that the image is erect and virtual.

The magnification of the image is given as:

 Hence, the height of the image is 1.8 cm.

If the object is moved further away from the lens, then the virtual image will move toward the focus
of the lens, but not beyond it. The size of the image will decrease with the increase in the object
distance.

Question 9.10:

What is the focal length of a convex lens of focal length 30 cm in contact with a concave lens of focal
length 20 cm? Is the system a converging or a diverging lens? Ignore thickness of the lenses.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the convex lens, f1 = 30 cm

Focal length of the concave lens, f2 = −20 cm

Focal length of the system of lenses = f

The equivalent focal length of a system of two lenses in contact is given as:

Hence, the focal length of the combination of lenses is 60 cm. The negative sign indicates that the
system of lenses acts as a diverging lens.

Question 9.11:

A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0 cm and an eyepiece of focal
length 6.25 cm separated by a distance of 15 cm. How far from the objective should an object be
placed in order to obtain the final image at (a) the least distance of distinct vision (25 cm), and (b) at
infinity? What is the magnifying power of the microscope in each case?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the objective lens, f1 = 2.0 cm

Focal length of the eyepiece, f2 = 6.25 cm

Distance between the objective lens and the eyepiece, d = 15 cm

(a) Least distance of distinct vision,

Image distance for the eyepiece, v2 = −25 cm

Object distance for the eyepiece = u2

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Image distance for the objective lens,

Object distance for the objective lens = u1

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Magnitude of the object distance, = 2.5 cm

The magnifying power of a compound microscope is given by the relation:

Hence, the magnifying power of the microscope is 20.

(b) The final image is formed at infinity.

Image distance for the eyepiece,

Object distance for the eyepiece = u2

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Image distance for the objective lens,

Object distance for the objective lens = u1

According to the lens formula, we have the relation:

Magnitude of the object distance, = 2.59 cm

The magnifying power of a compound microscope is given by the relation:

Hence, the magnifying power of the microscope is 13.51.

Question 9.12:
 A person with a normal near point (25 cm) using a compound microscope with objective of focal
length 8.0 mm and an eyepiece of focal length 2.5 cm can bring an object placed at 9.0 mm from the
objective in sharp focus. What is the separation between the two lenses? Calculate the magnifying
power of the microscope,

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the objective lens, fo = 8 mm = 0.8 cm

Focal length of the eyepiece, fe = 2.5 cm

Object distance for the objective lens, uo = −9.0 mm = −0.9 cm

Least distance of distant vision, d = 25 cm

Image distance for the eyepiece, ve = −d = −25 cm

Object distance for the eyepiece =

Using the lens formula, we can obtain the value of as:

We can also obtain the value of the image distance for the objective lens using the lens formula.
 The distance between the objective lens and the eyepiece

The magnifying power of the microscope is calculated as:

Hence, the magnifying power of the microscope is 88.

Question 9.13:

A small telescope has an objective lens of focal length 144 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 6.0 cm.
What is the magnifying power of the telescope? What is the separation between the objective and the
eyepiece?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the objective lens, fo = 144 cm

Focal length of the eyepiece, fe = 6.0 cm

The magnifying power of the telescope is given as:

The separation between the objective lens and the eyepiece is calculated as:

Hence, the magnifying power of the telescope is 24 and the separation between the objective lens and
the eyepiece is 150 cm.
 Question 9.14:

(a) A giant refracting telescope at an observatory has an objective lens of focal length 15 m. If an
eyepiece of focal length 1.0 cm is used, what is the angular magnification of the telescope?

(b) If this telescope is used to view the moon, what is the diameter of the image of the moon formed
by the objective lens? The diameter of the moon is 3.48 × 10 6 m, and the radius of lunar orbit is 3.8 ×
108 m.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the objective lens, fo = 15 m = 15 × 102 cm

Focal length of the eyepiece, fe = 1.0 cm

(a) The angular magnification of a telescope is given as:

Hence, the angular magnification of the given refracting telescope is 1500.

(b) Diameter of the moon, d = 3.48 × 106 m

Radius of the lunar orbit, r0 = 3.8 × 108 m

Let be the diameter of the image of the moon formed by the objective lens.

The angle subtended by the diameter of the moon is equal to the angle subtended by the image.

Hence, the diameter of the moon’s image formed by the objective lens is 13.74 cm

Question 9.15:
 Use the mirror equation to deduce that:

(a) an object placed between f and 2f of a concave mirror produces a real image beyond 2f.

(b) a convex mirror always produces a virtual image independent of the location of the object.

(c) the virtual image produced by a convex mirror is always diminished in size and is located between
the focus and the pole.

(d) an object placed between the pole and focus of a concave mirror produces a virtual and enlarged
image.

[Note: This exercise helps you deduce algebraically properties of

images that one obtains from explicit ray diagrams.]

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

(a) For a concave mirror, the focal length (f) is negative.

f < 0

When the object is placed on the left side of the mirror, the object distance (u) is negative.

u < 0

For image distance v, we can write the lens formula as:

The object lies between f and 2f.

Using equation (1), we get:

 is negative, i.e., v is negative.

Therefore, the image lies beyond 2f.

(b) For a convex mirror, the focal length (f) is positive.

f>0

When the object is placed on the left side of the mirror, the object distance (u) is negative.

u<0

For image distance v, we have the mirror formula:

Thus, the image is formed on the back side of the mirror.

Hence, a convex mirror always produces a virtual image, regardless of the object distance.

(c) For a convex mirror, the focal length (f) is positive.

f > 0

When the object is placed on the left side of the mirror, the object distance (u) is negative,

u < 0

For image distance v, we have the mirror formula:

Hence, the image formed is diminished and is located between the focus (f) and the pole.

(d) For a concave mirror, the focal length (f) is negative.

f < 0

When the object is placed on the left side of the mirror, the object distance (u) is negative.

u < 0

It is placed between the focus (f) and the pole.

For image distance v, we have the mirror formula:

 The image is formed on the right side of the mirror. Hence, it is a virtual image.

For u < 0 and v > 0, we can write:

Magnification, m >1

Hence, the formed image is enlarged.

Question 9.16:

A small pin fixed on a table top is viewed from above from a distance of 50 cm. By what distance
would the pin appear to be raised if it is viewed from the same point through a 15 cm thick glass slab
held parallel to the table? Refractive index of glass = 1.5. Does the answer depend on the location of
the slab?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Actual depth of the pin, d = 15 cm

Apparent dept of the pin =

Refractive index of glass,

Ratio of actual depth to the apparent depth is equal to the refractive index of glass, i.e.
 The distance at which the pin appears to be raised =

For a small angle of incidence, this distance does not depend upon the location of the slab.

Question 9.17:

(a) Figure 9.35 shows a cross-section of a ‘light pipe’ made of a glass fibre of refractive index 1.68.
The outer covering of the pipe is made of a material of refractive index 1.44. What is the range of the
angles of the incident rays with the axis of the pipe for which total reflections inside the pipe take
place, as shown in the figure.

(b) What is the answer if there is no outer covering of the pipe?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

(a) Refractive index of the glass fibre,

Refractive index of the outer covering of the pipe, = 1.44

Angle of incidence = i

Angle of refraction = r

Angle of incidence at the interface = i’

The refractive index (μ) of the inner core − outer core interface is given as:
For the critical angle, total internal reflection (TIR) takes place only when , i.e., i > 59°

Maximum angle of reflection,

Let, be the maximum angle of incidence.

The refractive index at the air − glass interface,

We have the relation for the maximum angles of incidence and reflection as:

Thus, all the rays incident at angles lying in the range 0 < i < 60° will suffer total internal reflection.

(b) If the outer covering of the pipe is not present, then:

Refractive index of the outer pipe,

For the angle of incidence i = 90°, we can write Snell’s law at the air − pipe interface as:
 .

Question 9.18:

Answer the following questions:

(a) You have learnt that plane and convex mirrors produce virtual images of objects. Can they
produce real images under some circumstances? Explain.

(b) A virtual image, we always say, cannot be caught on a screen.

Yet when we ‘see’ a virtual image, we are obviously bringing it on to the ‘screen’ (i.e., the retina) of
our eye. Is there a contradiction?

(c) A diver under water, looks obliquely at a fisherman standing on the bank of a lake. Would the
fisherman look taller or shorter to the diver than what he actually is?

(d) Does the apparent depth of a tank of water change if viewed obliquely? If so, does the apparent
depth increase or decrease?

(e) The refractive index of diamond is much greater than that of ordinary glass. Is this fact of some
use to a diamond cutter?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

(a) Yes

Plane and convex mirrors can produce real images as well. If the object is virtual, i.e., if the light rays
converging at a point behind a plane mirror (or a convex mirror) are reflected to a point on a screen
placed in front of the mirror, then a real image will be formed.

(b) No
 A virtual image is formed when light rays diverge. The convex lens of the eye causes these divergent
rays to converge at the retina. In this case, the virtual image serves as an object for the lens to
produce a real image.

(c) The diver is in the water and the fisherman is on land (i.e., in air). Water is a denser medium than
air. It is given that the diver is viewing the fisherman. This indicates that the light rays are travelling
from a denser medium to a rarer medium. Hence, the refracted rays will move away from the normal.
As a result, the fisherman will appear to be taller.

(d) Yes; Decrease

The apparent depth of a tank of water changes when viewed obliquely. This is because light bends on
travelling from one medium to another. The apparent depth of the tank when viewed obliquely is less
than the near-normal viewing.

(e) Yes

The refractive index of diamond (2.42) is more than that of ordinary glass (1.5). The critical angle for
diamond is less than that for glass. A diamond cutter uses a large angle of incidence to ensure that
the light entering the diamond is totally reflected from its faces. This is the reason for the sparkling
effect of a diamond.

Question 9.19:

The image of a small electric bulb fixed on the wall of a room is to be obtained on the opposite wall 3
m away by means of a large convex lens. What is the maximum possible focal length of the lens
required for the purpose?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Distance between the object and the image, d = 3 m

Maximum focal length of the convex lens =

For real images, the maximum focal length is given as:

Hence, for the required purpose, the maximum possible focal length of the convex lens is 0.75 m.

Question 9.20:

A screen is placed 90 cm from an object. The image of the object on the screen is formed by a convex
lens at two different locations separated by 20 cm. Determine the focal length of the lens.
 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Distance between the image (screen) and the object, D = 90 cm

Distance between two locations of the convex lens, d = 20 cm

Focal length of the lens = f

Focal length is related to d and D as:

Therefore, the focal length of the convex lens is 21.39 cm.

Question 9.21:

(a) Determine the ‘effective focal length’ of the combination of the two lenses in Exercise 9.10, if they
are placed 8.0 cm apart with their principal axes coincident. Does the answer depend on which side of
the combination a beam of parallel light is incident? Is the notion of effective focal length of this
system useful at all?

(b) An object 1.5 cm in size is placed on the side of the convex lens in the arrangement (a) above.
The distance between the object and the convex lens is 40 cm. Determine the magnification produced
by the two-lens system, and the size of the image.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Focal length of the convex lens, f1 = 30 cm

Focal length of the concave lens, f2 = −20 cm

Distance between the two lenses, d = 8.0 cm

(a) When the parallel beam of light is incident on the convex lens first:

According to the lens formula, we have:

Where,

= Object distance = ∞

v1 = Image distance

The image will act as a virtual object for the concave lens.

Applying lens formula to the concave lens, we have:

Where,

= Object distance

= (30 − d) = 30 − 8 = 22 cm

= Image distance

The parallel incident beam appears to diverge from a point that is

from the centre of the combination of the two lenses.

(ii) When the parallel beam of light is incident, from the left, on the concave lens first:

According to the lens formula, we have:

Where,

= Object distance = −∞

= Image distance

The image will act as a real object for the convex lens.

Applying lens formula to the convex lens, we have:

Where,

= Object distance

= −(20 + d) = −(20 + 8) = −28 cm

= Image distance

Hence, the parallel incident beam appear to diverge from a point that is (420 − 4) 416 cm from the
left of the centre of the combination of the two lenses.

The answer does depend on the side of the combination at which the parallel beam of light is incident.
The notion of effective focal length does not seem to be useful for this combination.

(b) Height of the image, h1 = 1.5 cm

Object distance from the side of the convex lens,

According to the lens formula:

Where,

= Image distance

Magnification,

Hence, the magnification due to the convex lens is 3.

The image formed by the convex lens acts as an object for the concave lens.

According to the lens formula:

Where,

= Object distance

= +(120 − 8) = 112 cm.

= Image distance

Magnification,
 Hence, the magnification due to the concave lens is .

The magnification produced by the combination of the two lenses is calculated as:

The magnification of the combination is given as:

Where,

h1 = Object size = 1.5 cm

h2 = Size of the image

Hence, the height of the image is 0.98 cm.

Question 9.22:

At what angle should a ray of light be incident on the face of a prism of refracting angle 60° so that it
just suffers total internal reflection at the other face? The refractive index of the material of the prism
is 1.524.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

The incident, refracted, and emergent rays associated with a glass prism ABC are shown in the given
figure.
Angle of prism, A = 60°

Refractive index of the prism, µ = 1.524

= Incident angle

= Refracted angle

= Angle of incidence at the face AC

e = Emergent angle = 90°

According to Snell’s law, for face AC, we can have:

It is clear from the figure that angle

According to Snell’s law, we have the relation:

 Hence, the angle of incidence is 29.75°.

Question 9.23:

You are given prisms made of crown glass and flint glass with a wide variety of angles. Suggest a
combination of prisms which will

(a) deviate a pencil of white light without much dispersion,

(b) disperse (and displace) a pencil of white light without much deviation.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

(a)Place the two prisms beside each other. Make sure that their bases are on the opposite sides of the
incident white light, with their faces touching each other. When the white light is incident on the first
prism, it will get dispersed. When this dispersed light is incident on the second prism, it will recombine
and white light will emerge from the combination of the two prisms.

(b)Take the system of the two prisms as suggested in answer (a). Adjust (increase) the angle of the
flint-glass-prism so that the deviations due to the combination of the prisms become equal. This
combination will disperse the pencil of white light without much deviation.

Question 9.24:

For a normal eye, the far point is at infinity and the near point of distinct vision is about 25cm in front
of the eye. The cornea of the eye provides a converging power of about 40 dioptres, and the least
converging power of the eye-lens behind the cornea is about 20 dioptres. From this rough data
estimate the range of accommodation (i.e., the range of converging power of the eye-lens) of a
normal eye.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

Least distance of distinct vision, d = 25 cm

Far point of a normal eye,

Converging power of the cornea,

Least converging power of the eye-lens,

To see the objects at infinity, the eye uses its least converging power.

Power of the eye-lens, P = Pc + Pe = 40 + 20 = 60 D

Power of the eye-lens is given as:

To focus an object at the near point, object distance (u) = −d = −25 cm

Focal length of the eye-lens = Distance between the cornea and the retina

= Image distance

Hence, image distance,

According to the lens formula, we can write:

Where,

= Focal length

Power of the eye-lens = 64 − 40 = 24 D

Hence, the range of accommodation of the eye-lens is from 20 D to 24 D.

Question 9.25:

Does short-sightedness (myopia) or long-sightedness (hypermetropia) imply necessarily that the eye
has partially lost its ability of accommodation? If not, what might cause these defects of vision?
 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

A myopic or hypermetropic person can also possess the normal ability of accommodation of the eye-
lens. Myopia occurs when the eye-balls get elongated from front to back. Hypermetropia occurs when
the eye-balls get shortened. When the eye-lens loses its ability of accommodation, the defect is called
presbyopia.

Question 9.26:

A myopic person has been using spectacles of power −1.0 dioptre for distant vision. During old age he
also needs to use separate reading glass of power + 2.0 dioptres. Explain what may have happened.

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

The power of the spectacles used by the myopic person, P = −1.0 D

Focal length of the spectacles,

Hence, the far point of the person is 100 cm. He might have a normal near point of 25 cm. When he
uses the spectacles, the objects placed at infinity produce virtual images at 100 cm. He uses the
ability of accommodation of the eye-lens to see the objects placed between 100 cm and 25 cm.

During old age, the person uses reading glasses of power,

The ability of accommodation is lost in old age. This defect is called presbyopia. As a result, he is
unable to see clearly the objects placed at 25 cm.

Question 9.27:

A person looking at a person wearing a shirt with a pattern comprising vertical and horizontal lines is
able to see the vertical lines more distinctly than the horizontal ones. What is this defect due to? How
is such a defect of vision corrected?

 Answer
 Discussion
 Share

In the given case, the person is able to see vertical lines more distinctly than horizontal lines. This
means that the refracting system (cornea and eye-lens) of the eye is not working in the same way in
different planes. This defect is called astigmatism. The person’s eye has enough curvature in the
vertical plane. However, the curvature in the horizontal plane is insufficient. Hence, sharp images of
the vertical lines are formed on the retina, but horizontal lines appear blurred. This defect can be
corrected by using cylindrical lenses.