P.K.

PHYSICS CLASSES
Optical Instruments
Optical Instruments Magnifying Power :- It is defined as the ratio of
the angles subtended by the image and the object
on the eye, when both are at the least distance of
distinct vision from the eye.
Microscope Telescope
β
M =
α

Simple Compound Let AB = A”B’=h

Microscope Microscope AB − h
β = Tanβ = =
−u u
A" B − h
α = Tanα = =
−D D
−h
D
M = u =
−h u
D
D
M = ------------------- (1)
u
Now there are two possibilities
1. When the image is formed at infinity.
Astronomical Cassegrain 1 1 1 1 1 1
Telescope Telescope By lens equation − = ⇒ − =
v u f −∞ −u f

⇒ u = f so D
M =
f

2. If the image is at minimum distance of clear

vision D (least distance)
1 1 1 1 1 1
− = ⇒− − =
Simple Microscope :- When object is placed v u f D −u f
between focus and optical centre a virtual, D  D
Multiplying by D both sides = 1 + 
u 
magnified and erect image is formed.
f 
 D
So M = 1 + 
 f 

Compound Microscope :-
Compound microscope is used to get more
magnified image. It consists of two converging
lenses arranged coaxially. The one facing the
object is called the objective and the one closed to
the eye is called the eyepiece or ocular. The
objective has a smaller aperture and smaller focal
length than those of the eyepiece.

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Now there are two possibilities
1. When the image is formed at least distance for
clear vision D,
By lens equation for eye
1 1 1 1 1 1
− = ⇒− − =
v u f D − ue fe
Multiplying by D both sides
D  D
= 1 +  put in (2)
ue  fe 

− vo  D
M = 1 + 
uo  fe 

Length of the tube = vo + u e

2. When the image is formed at infinite
Q v e = ∞ put in (2)
ue = f e
Magnifying Power :- Magnifying power of a
compound microscope is defined as the ratio of − vo D
the angle subtended at the eye by the final image M =  
uo  fe 
to the angle subtended at the eye by the object,
when both the final image and the object are
Q L = vo + f e
situated at the least distance of distinct vision
from the eye.
β Note :-
M =
α
Theory :-
1. f o < f e & Ao < Ae
A' B ' + v0 
− vo D
mo = = 2. M = 1 +  L = v0 + u e
AB − u o u0  fe 
A" B" − D D − vo  D 
me = = = 3. M ∞ =   L = v0 + f e
A' B ' − u e u e u 0  f e 
A" B" − A" B"
β = Tanβ = =
−D D
Astronomical Telescope :- A microscope is used
AB − AB to view the objects placed closed to it, within few
α = Tanα = =
−D D centimeter. To look at distant objects such as a
− A" B" star, a planet or a distant tree etc, we use another
β D = A" B" instrument called a telescope.
M = ⇒M
α − AB AB It consists of two converging lenses placed
D coaxially. The one facing the distant object is
 A' B '  A" B"  called the objective and has a large aperture & a
M =   = mo m e (1) large focal length. The other is called the
 AB  A' B'  eyepiece, as the eye is placed closed to it. It has a
+v  D  small aperture & and a small focal length.
M =  o  
 − uo  u e  (2) f o >> f e Ao >> Ae

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2. When the image is formed at infinity

fo
M = −
fe

L = fo + fe

D
Resolving power of telescope =
1.22λ
(∴ D → Aperture)
Magnifying Power :- Magnifying power of an
astronomical telescope is defined as the ratio of Cassegrain (Reflecting type) telescope :- It is an
the angle subtended at the eye by the final image improvement over the refracting type
at the least distance of distinct vision to the angle astronomical telescope described above. In such
subtended at the eye by the object at infinity, telescope, objective lens is replaced by a concave
when seen directly. parabolic mirror of large aperture, which is free
from chromatic and spherical aberrations. The
β image formed is much brighter and the reflecting
M =
α type telescope has much higher resolving power
compared to the refracting type telescope. Such a
A' B ' A' B ' telescope is known as Cassegrainian telescope,
Tanβ = β = =−
− ue ue after its inventor.
A' B'
Tan = α =
fe
− A' B'
f
ue M =− e
M = ⇒ ue (1)
A' B'
fo
Now there are two possibilities
1. When the final image is formed at least distance
for clear vision (D), fo
By lens equation for eye M = −
fe
1 1 1 1 1 1
− = ⇒− − =
v u f D − ue fe
1 1 1 1 1  f  Advantages :- Following are the advantages of a
= + ⇒ = 1 + e  refracting type telescope, especially for high
ue fe D ue fe  D
resolution astronomy.
Multiplying by (− f o ) both side 1. There is no chronic aberration as the objective
− fo f  f  is a mirror.
= − o 1 + e  put in (1) 2. Spherical aberration is reduced using mirror
ue fe  D
objective in the form of a paraboloid.
fo  f  3. Image is brighter compared to that in a
M =− 1 + e  refracting type telescope.
fe  D 4. Mirror requires grinding and polishing of only
one side.
Length of the tube 5. High resolution is achieved by using a mirror of
L = f o + ue large aperture.

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6. A mirror weighs much less than a lens of
equivalent optical quality. Therefore, λ
d=
mechanical support of mirror is much less of a 2 µSinθ
problem compared to the support required for
lens. Further, mirror can be supported over its
entire back surface unlike the lens which is
supported over the rim only.

Note :-
Resolving power of microscope
1
RPM =
d
2 µSinθ
RPM =
λ

Resolving power of Telescope

Limit of Resolution of telescope is measured by
f0 D /θ D the angle (dθ ) subtended at its objective, by those
m= = =
fe d /θ d two distant object (star, moon etc.) whose images
through the telescope are just seen as separated.
Resolving Power :- It is ability of the instrument It is directly proportional to wavelength of light:
to resolve the image of two close objects. dθ ∝ λ -------- (i)
It is inversely proportional to diameter of
object :
1
dθ ∝ -------- (ii)
D
From (i) & (ii)
λ
dθ ∝
D
1.22λ
dθ =
D

1 D
R.P.T.= =
dθ 1.22λ

Limit of Resolution of the microscope is

measured by the minimum distance (d) between
two point object whose images in the microscope
is just seen as separate. It is directly proportional
to the wavelength of light
d ∝λ ------- (i)
It is inversely proportional to the cone angle
1
d∝ ------- (ii)
2θ
From (i) and (ii)
λ
d∝
2θ

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Numerical
NCERT
Q1. A compound microscope consists of an Also, indicate which of the selected lenses is
objective lens of focal length 2.0 cm and an to be used as an objective and as an eye piece
eyepiece of focal length 6.25 cm separated by in each case.
a distance of 15 cm. How far from the Lenses Power (P) Aperture (A)
objective should an object be placed in order L1 6D 1 cm
to obtain the final image at L2 3D 8 cm
(a) The least distance of distinct vision (25 L3 10D 1 cm
cm) and [Ans. For telescope,
(b) At infinity? Objective lens → L2, Eye piece → L3
What is the magnifying power of the For microscope,
microscope in each case? Objective lens → L3, Eye piece → L1]
[Ans. 13.51] [S. L. Arora]

Q2. A person with a normal near point (25 cm) Q6. Four double convex lenses with following
using a compound microscope with objective specifications are available
of focal length 8.0 mm and an eyepiece of Lens Focal Length Aperture
focal length 2.5 cm can bring an object placed A 100 cm 10 cm
at 9.0 mm from the objective in sharp focus. B 100 cm 5 cm
What is the separation between the two C 10 cm 2 cm
lenses? Calculate the magnifying power of the D 5 cm 2 cm
microscope? Which of the given four lenses should be
[Ans. 88] selected as objective and eyepiece to construct
an astronomical telescope and why? What will
Q3. A small telescope has an objective lens of be the magnifying power and length of the
focal length 144 cm and an eyepiece of focal tube of the telescope?
length 6.0 cm. What is the magnifying power [Ans. 105cm] [S. L. Arora]
of the telescope? What is the separation
between the objective and the eyepiece? Q7. A compound microscope has a magnification
[Ans. -24, 150cm] of 30. The focal length of the eye piece is
5cm. Assuming that final image is formed at
Q4.(a) A giant refracting telescope at an the least distance of distinct vision (25cm),
bservatory has an objective lens of focal calculate the magnification produced by the
length 15m. If an eye piece of focal length objective.
1.0cm is used, what is the angular [Ans. 5] [S. L. Arora]
magnification of telescope?
(b) If this telescope is used to view the moon, Q8. A compound microscope uses an objective
what is the diameter of the image of the lens of focal length 4cm and eye piece lens of
moon formed by the objective lens? The focal length 10cm. An object is placed at 6cm
diameter of the moon is 3.48 x 106m and from the objective lens. Calculate the
the radius of the lunar orbit is 3.8 x 108m. magnifying power of compound microscope.
[Ans. (a) -1500 (b) 13.73cm] Also calculate the length of microscope.
[Ans. 7, 22cm] [S. L. Arora]
SUBJECTIVE
Q5. Using the data given below, state which two Q9. A giant refracting telescope at an observatory
of the given lenses will you prefer to construct has an objective lens of focal length 15m. If an
a best possible eye piece lens of focal length 1cm is used, find
(i) Telescope (ii) Microscope the angular magnification of the telescope.
[Ans. ] [S. L. Arora]

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Q10. An astronomical telescope consists of two Q17. A 10D lens is used as a magnifier. Where
thin lenses set 36cm apart, and has a normal should the object be placed to obtain
magnifying power 8. Calculate the focal maximum angular magnification for a normal
lengths of lenses. eye (near point = 25m)?
[Ans. 32cm, 4cm] [S. L. Arora] [Ans. -7.1cm]
[H. C. Verma]
Q11. A telescope consists of two lenses of focal
lengths 20cm and 5cm. Obtain its magnifying Q18. A compound microscope consists of an
power when final image is objective of focal length 1.0cm and an
(i) At infinity eyepiece of focal length 5.0cm separated by
(ii) At 25cm from the eye 12.2cm.
[Ans. (i) -4 (ii) -4.8] [S. L. Arora] (a) At what distance from the objective
should an object be placed to focus it
Q12. A reflecting type telescope has a concave properly so that the final image is formed
reflector of radius of curvature 120cm. at the least distance of clear vision (25cm)
Calculate focal length of eye piece to secure a (b) Calculate the angular magnification in this
magnification of 20. case.
[Ans. 3cm] [S. L. Arora] [Ans. -4.2cm]
[H. C. Verma]
Q13. The angular magnification of a telescope is
300. What should be the diameter of the Q19. The separation L between the objective (f =
objective, if our eyes at the eye ring, are just 0.5cm) and the eyepiece (f = 5cm) of a
able to collect all the light refracted from the compound microscope is 7cm. Where should a
objective. Take diameter of pupil of eye = small object be placed so that the eye is least
3mm. strained to see the image? Find the angular
[Ans. 90cm] [S. L. Arora] magnification produced by the microscope.
[Ans. -15] [H. C. Verma]
Q14. A compound microscope has a magnifying
power of 100 when the image is formed at
infinity. The objective has a focal length of
0.5cm and the tube length is 6.5cm. Find the OBJECTIVE
focal length of the eyepiece. Q20. Calculate the limit of resolution of a
[Ans. 2cm] [H. C. Verma] telescope objective having a diameter of
200cm, if it has to detect light of wavelength
Q15. A compound microscope consists of an 500nm coming from a star.
objective of focal length 1 cm and an eyepiece (a) 610 x 10-9 rad
of focal length 5cm. An object is placed at a (b) 305 x 10-9 rad
distance of 0.5cm from the objective. What (c) 457.5 x 10-9 rad
should be the separation between the lenses so (d) 152.5 x 10-9 rad
that the microscope projects an inverted real [Ans. (b)]
image of the object on a screen 30cm behind
the eyepiece. Q21. General expression for the resolving power
[Ans. 5cm] [H. C. Verma] of an optical instrument is
λ dλ
Q16. An object is seen through a simple (a) (b)
dλ λ
microscope of focal length 12cm. Find the 1
angular magnification produced if the image is (c) λdλ (d)
formed at the near point of the eye which is λ
25cm away from it. [Ans. (a)] [PMT 12]
[Ans. 3.08] [H. C. Verma]

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Q22. The magnifying power of telescope is high Q27. The magnifying power of a telescope is 9.
if When it is adjusted for parallel rays the
(a) Both objective and eyepiece have short distance between the objective and eyepiece is
focal length 20cm. The focal length of lenses are
(b) Both objective and eyepiece have long (a) 10cm, 10cm
focal length (b) 15cm, 5cm
(c) The objective has a long focal length and (c) 18cm, 2cm
the eyepiece has a short focal length (d) 11cm, 9cm
(d) The objective has a short focal length and [Ans. (c)] [PMT 12]
the eyepiece has a long focal length
[Ans. (c)] [PET 09] Q28. When the object is self luminous, the
resolving power of a microscope is given by
Q23. The focal length of the objective lens of a the expression
compound microscope is 2 µSinθ µSinθ
(a) Equal to the focal length of its eyepiece (a) (b)
1.22λ λ
(b) Less than the focal length of eyepiece 2 µCosθ 2µ
(c) Greater than the focal length of eyepiece (c) (d)
1.22λ λ
(d) Any of the above three
[Ans. (a)]
[Ans. (b)]
[PMT 85, MNR 86, PET 97, SCAR 98]
Q29. In order to increase the magnifying power
of a compound microscope
Q24. Microscope is an optical instrument which
(a) The focal lengths of the objective and the
(a) Enlarges the object
eyepiece should be small
(b) Increases the visual angle formed by the
(b) Objective should have small focal length
object at the eye
and the eyepiece large
(c) Decreases the visual angle formed by the
(c) Both should have large focal lengths
object at the eye
(d) The objective should have large focal
(d) Brings the object nearer
length and eyepiece should have small
[Ans. (b)]
[Ans. (a)]
[JIPMER 86, PMT 84, 97, 13, PET 2000]
Q25. Magnifying power of a simple microscope
is (when final image is formed at D = 25cm
Q30. Magnification of a compound microscope is
from eye)
30. Focal length of eyepiece is 5cm and the
D D image is formed at a distance of distinct vision
(a) (b) 1 +
f f of 25cm. The magnification of the objective
f D lens is
(c) 1 + (d) 1 −
D f (a) 6 (b) 5
[Ans. (b)] [PET 96, BVP 03] (c) 7.5 (d) 10
[Ans. (b)] [PMT 05]
Q26. An experiment is performed to find the
refractive index of glass using a travelling Q31. Resolving power of a microscope depends
microscope. In this experiment distances are upon
measured by (a) Wavelength of light used, directly
(a) A standard laboratory scale (b) Wavelength of light used, inversely
(b) A meter scale provided on the microscope (c) Frequency of light used
(c) A screw gauge provided on the (d) Focal length of objective
microscope [Ans. (b)] [DCE 99]
(d) A vernier scale provided on the
microscope
[Ans. (d)] [AIEEE 08]

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Q32. A wire mesh consisting of very small (c) It can be operated even in cloudy weather
squares is viewed at a distance of 8cm through (d) It is much cheaper than optical telescope
a magnifying converging lens of focal length [Ans. (a)] [BHU 04]
10cm, kept close to the eye. The magnification
produced by the lens is Q38. If Fo and Fe are the focal length of the
(a) 5 (b) 8 objective and eyepiece respectively of a
(c) 10 (d) 20 telescope, then its magnifying power will be
[Ans. (a)] [AIIMS 06] (a) Fo + Fe (b) Fo x Fe
F0 1
Q33. If the red light is replaced by blue light (c) (d) (F0 + Fe )
Fe 2
illuminating the object in a microscope, the
[Ans. (c)]
resolving power of the microscope
(a) Decreases [PMT 82, 97, 2000, 03, SCRA 94, CET 99,
(b) Increases BHU 01, DCE 02, BCECE 03, 04 ]
(c) Gets halved
Q39. The angular resolution of a 10cm diameter
(d) Remains unchanged 0
[Ans. (b)] [DCE 01] telescope at a wavelength of 5000 A is of the
order
Q34. Wavelength of light used in an optical (a) 106 rad (b) 10-2 rad
0 0
(c) 10-4 rad (d) 10-6 rad
instrument are λ1 = 4000 A and λ 2 = 5000 A ,
[Ans. (d)] [PMT 05]
then ratio of their respective resolving power
(corresponding to λ1 and λ2 ) is Q40. For a compound microscope, the focal
(a) 16 : 25 (b) 9 : 1 lengths of object lens and eye lens are fo and fe
(c) 4 : 5 (d) 5 : 4 respectively, then magnification will be done
[Ans. (d)] [AIEEE 02] by microscope when
(a) fo = fe (b) fo > fe
Q35. The separation between two microscopic (c) fo < fe (d) None of these
particles is measured PA and PB by two [Ans. (c)] [PMT 01]
0
different lights of wavelength 2000 A and
0 Q41. The aperture of a telescope is made large,
3000 A respectively, then because
(a) PA > PB (b) PA < PB (a) To increase the intensity of image
(c) PA < 3/2PB (d) PA = PB (b) To decrease the intensity of image
[Ans. (b)] [AIEEE 02] (c) To have greater magnification
(d) To have lesser resolution
Q36. A telescope has an objective lens of focal [Ans. (a)] [PMT 99]
length 200cm and an eyepiece with focal
length 2cm. If this telescope is used to see a 50 Q42. The focal lengths of the lenses of an
meter tall building at a distance of 2 km, what astronomical telescope are 50cm and 5cm. The
is the height of the image of the building length of the telescope when the image is
formed by the objective lens formed at the least distance of distinct vision
(a) 5cm (b) 10cm is
(c) 1cm (d) 2cm (a) 45cm (b) 55cm
[Ans. (a)] [AIIMS 05] 275 325
(c) cm (d) cm
6 6
Q37. Which of the following is not correct [Ans. (d)] [EAMCET 2000]
regarding the radio telescope?
(a) It cannot work at night
(b) It can detect a very faint radio signal

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Q43. Four lenses of focal length +15cm, +20cm, light of wavelength λ the spread of the spot
+150cm and +250cm are available for making (obtained on the opposite wall of the camera)
an astronomical telescope. To produce the is the sum of its geometrical spread and the
largest magnification, the focal length of the spread due to diffraction. The spot would then
eyepiece should be have its minimum size (say bmin) when
(a) +15cm (b) +20cm λ2  2λ 2 
(c) +150cm (d) +250cm (a) a = and bmin =  
L  L 
[Ans. (a)] [PMT 01, AIIMS 01]
 2λ2 
Q44. The aperture of the objective lens of a (b) a = λL and bmin =  
 L 
telescope is made large so as to
(a) Increase the magnifying power of the (c) a = λL and bmin = 4λL
telescope λ2
(b)Increase the resolving power of the (d) a = and bmin = 4λL
L
telescope [Ans. (c)] [IIT Main 16]
(c) Make image aberration less
(d) Focus on distant objects Q49. In a compound microscope, the
[Ans. (b)] [AIEEE 03, CET 03] intermediate image is
(a) Virtual, erect and magnified
(b) Real, erect and magnified
(c) Real, inverted and magnified
IIT JEE (d) Virtual, erect and reduced
Q45. The value of numerical aperture of the [Ans. (c)] [IIT 2000, PET 05, AIEEE 03]
objective lens of a microscope is 1.25. If light
0
of wavelength 5000 A is used, the minimum
separation between two points to be seen as
distinct, will be
(a) 0.24 µ m (b) 0.38 µ m
(c) 0.12 µ m (d) 0.48 µ m
[Ans. (a)] [IIT Main 19]

Q46. Diameter of the objective lens of a telescope

is 250cm. For light of wavelength 600nm
coming from a distant object, the limit of
resolution of the telescope is close to
(a) 3.0 x 10-7 rad (b) 2.0 x 10-7 rad
-7
(c) 1.5 x 10 rad (d) 4.5 x 10-7 rad
[Ans. (a)] [IIT Main 19]

Q47. An observer looks at a distant tree of height

10m with a telescope of magnifying power of
20. To observe the tree appears
(a) 10 times taller (b) 10 times nearer
(c) 20 times taller (d) 20 times nearer
[Ans. (d)] [IIT Main 16]

Q48. The box of a pinhole camera of length L,

has a hole of radius a. It is assumed that when
the hole is illuminated by a parallel beam of

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