Chapter 36 - Lenses

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University

© 2007
Objectives: After Completing This
Module, You Should Be Able To:
• Determine the focal length of converging
and diverging lenses.
• Apply the lensmaker’s equation to find
parameters related to lens construction.
• Use ray-tracing techniques to construct images
formed by converging and diverging lenses.
• Find the location, nature, and magnification of
images formed by converging and diverging
lenses.
 Refraction in Prisms
If we apply the laws of
refraction to two prisms,
the rays bend toward the
base, converging light.

Parallel rays, however, do

not converge to a focus
leaving images distorted
Two prisms and unclear.
base to base
Refraction in Prisms (Cont.)
Similarly, inverted prisms
cause parallel light rays
to bend toward the base
(away from the center).

Again there is no clear

virtual focus, and once
again, images are
Two prisms distorted and unclear.
apex to apex
Converging and Diverging Lens
If a smooth surface replaces the prisms, a
well-defined focus produces clear images.

Converging Lens Diverging Lens

Real focus

Virtual
focus
Double-convex Double-concave
 The Focal Length of lenses
Converging Lens Diverging Lens
Focal f
length f -
F
F

+
f
The focal length f is positive for a real focus
(converging) and negative for a virtual focus.
 The Principal Focus
Since light can pass through a lens in either
direction, there are two focal points for each lens.

Left to right The principal focal

F F F F point F is shown
here. Yellow F is
the other one.

Right to left
Now suppose light F
moves from right F F
to left instead . . . F
 Types of Converging Lenses
In order for a lens to converge light it must be
thicker near the midpoint to allow more bending.

Double- Plano- Converging

convex lens convex lens meniscus lens
 Types of Diverging Lenses
In order for a lens to diverge light it must be
thinner near the midpoint to allow more bending.

Double- Plano- diverging

concave lens concave lens meniscus lens
 Lensmaker’s Equation
The focal length 1 1 1 
 (n  1)   
f for a lens. f  R1 R2 

The Lensmaker’s Equation: Positive

(Convex)
R1 R2
Negative
(Concave) R

Sign
Surfaces of different radius convention
 Signs for Lensmaker’s Equation
R1 and R2 are R1, R2 = Radii
interchangeable +
n= index of glass
R1 R2 f = focal length
-
1 1 1 
 (n  1)   
f  R1 R2 

1. R1 and R2 are positive for convex outward

surface and negative for concave surface.
2. Focal length f is positive for converging and
negative for diverging lenses.
Example 1. A glass meniscus lens (n = 1.5)
has a concave surface of radius –40 cm and
a convex surface whose radius is +20 cm.
What is the focal length of the lens.
+20 cm
R1 = 20 cm, R2 = -40 cm
1 1  -40 cm
1
 (n  1)   
f  R1 R2  n = 1.5

1  1 1   2 1 
 (1.5  1)    
f  20 cm (40 cm   40 cm 

f = 20.0 cm Converging (+) lens.

Example 2: What must be the radius of the
curved surface in a plano-convex lens in order
that the focal length be 25 cm?

R1 = , R2 = 25 cm R2=? R1=
0
1 1 1 
 (n  1)    f=?
f   R2 
1  1  0.500
 (1.5  1)    R2 = 0.5(25 cm)
25 cm  R2  R2

R2 = 12.5 cm Convex (+) surface.

Terms for Image Construction
• The near focal point is the focus F on the
same side of the lens as the incident light.
• The far focal point is the focus F on the
opposite side to the incident light.
Converging Lens Diverging Lens
Far Far
focus focus

F F F F
Near Near
focus focus
 Image Construction:
Ray 1: A ray parallel to lens axis passes through
the far focus of a converging lens or appears to
come from the near focus of a diverging lens.

Converging Lens Diverging Lens

Ray 1 Ray 1

F F
 Image Construction:
Ray 2: A ray passing through the near focal
point of a converging lens or proceeding
toward the far focal point of a diverging lens is
refracted parallel to the lens axis.

Converging Lens Diverging Lens

Ray 1 Ray 1
Ray 2

F F
Ray 2
 Image Construction:
Ray 3: A ray passing through the center of any
lens continues in a straight line. The refraction
at the first surface is balanced by the
refraction at the second surface.

Converging Lens Diverging Lens

Ray 1 Ray 1
Ray
3 Ray 2

Ray 2
F F
Ray
3
 Images Tracing Points
Draw an arrow to represent the location of an
object, then draw any two of the rays from the
tip of the arrow. The image is where lines cross.

1. Is the image erect or inverted?

2. Is the image real or virtual?
• Real images are always on the
opposite side of the lens. Virtual
images are on the same side.
3. Is it enlarged, diminished, or same size?
 Object Outside 2F

F 2F Real;
inverted;
2F F diminished

1. The image is inverted, 2. The image is real, i.e.,

i.e., opposite to the formed by actual light
object orientation. on the opposite side
of the lens.
3. The image is diminished
in size, i.e., smaller Image is located
than the object. between F and 2F
 Object at 2F

F 2F Real;
inverted;
2F F same size

1. The image is inverted, 2. The image is real, i.e.,

i.e., opposite to the formed by actual light on
object orientation. the opposite side of lens.
3. The image is the same Image is located at
size as the object. 2F on other side
 Object Between 2F and F

F 2F Real;
inverted;
2F F enlarged

1. The image is inverted, 2. The image is real;

i.e., opposite to the
object orientation.
3. The image is enlarged
in size, i.e., larger than the
object.
formed by actual light
rays on opposite side
Image is located
beyond 2F
 Object at Focal Length F

F 2F Parallel rays;
no image
2F F formed

When the object is located at the focal length,

the rays of light are parallel. The lines never
cross, and no image is formed.
 Object Inside F

F 2F Virtual;
erect;
2F F enlarged

1. The image is erect, 2. The image is virtual,

i.e., same orientation as
the object.
3. The image is enlarged
in size, i.e., larger than the
object.
i.e., formed where light
does NOT go.
Image is located on
near side of lens
Review of Image Formations

F FF 2F 2F Real;
Real; rays;
Virtual;
Parallel
2F
inverted;
inverted;
erect;
no image
2F 2F
2FF F diminished
same
enlarged
size
enlarged
formed

Object Outside 2F Region

 Diverging Lens Imaging
All images formed by diverging lenses are erect,
virtual, and diminished. Images get larger as
object approaches.

Diverging Lens Diverging Lens

F F
Analytical Approach to Imaging

y F 2F
2F F -y’
f
p q

Lens Equation: Magnification:

1 1 1 y ' q
  M 
p q f y p
Same Sign Convention as For Mirrors

1. Object p and image q distances 1 1 1

are positive for real and images  
negative for virtual images. p q f
2. Image height y’ and magnifi- y ' q
cation M are positive for erect M 
negative for inverted images y p
3. The focal length f and the radius of curvature
R is positive for converging lens or mirrors
and negative for diverging lens or mirrors.
 Working With Reciprocals:
The lens equation can easily be 1 1 1
solved by using the reciprocal  
button (1/x) on most calculators: p q f

Possible sequence for finding f on linear calculators:

Finding f: P 1/x + q 1/x = 1/x

Same with reverse notation calculators might be:

Finding f: P 1/x Enter q 1/x + 1/x

 Alternative Solutions
It might be useful to solve the lens equation
algebraically for each of the parameters:

1 1 1
 
p q f

qf pf qp
p q f 
q f p f q p

Be careful with substitution of signed numbers!

Example 3. A magnifying glass consists of a
converging lens of focal length 25 cm. A bug is
8 mm long and placed 15 cm from the lens. What
are the nature, size, and location of image.

p = 15 cm; f = 25 cm
F
1 1 1
F  
p q f
pf (15 cm)(25 cm)
q  q = -37.5 cm
p f 15 cm - 25 cm
The fact that q is negative means that the
image is virtual (on same side as object).
Example 3 Cont.) A magnifying glass consists of
a converging lens of focal length 25 cm. A bug is
8 mm long and placed 15 cm from the lens. What
are size of image.

p = 15 cm; q = -37.5 cm
y’ y F
y ' q
F M 
y p

y' (37.5 cm)

 Y’ = +20 mm
8 mm 15 cm
The fact that y’ is positive means that the
image is erect. It is also larger than object.
Example 4: What is the magnification of a
diverging lens (f = -20 cm) the object is
located 35 cm from the center of the lens?

First we find q . . . then M

1 1 1 y ' q
F   M 
p q f y p

pf (35 cm)(-20 cm)

q  q = +12.7 cm
p  f 35 cm - (-20 cm)
q (12.7 cm)
M  M = +0.364
p 35 cm
Example 5: Derive an expression for calculating
the magnification of a lens when the object
distance and focal length are given.

1 1 1 pf y ' q
  q M 
p q f p f y p

From last equation: q = -pM

Substituting for q in second equation gives . . .

 pM 
pf f
Thus, . . . M
p f p f
Use this expression to verify answer in Example 4.
 Summary
A Converging lens is one that refracts and
converges parallel light to a real focus beyond
the lens. It is thicker near the middle.

F F F The principal
F
focus is denoted
by the red F.

A diverging lens is one that refracts and

diverges parallel light which appears to come
from a virtual focus in front of the lens.
 Summary: Lensmaker’s Equation
R1 and R2 are R1, R2 = Radii
interchangeable +
n= index of glass
R1 R2 f = focal length
-
1 1 1 
 (n  1)   
f  R1 R2 

1. R1 and R2 are positive for convex outward

surface and negative for concave surface.
2. Focal length f is positive for converging and
negative for diverging lenses.
 Summary of Math Approach

y F 2F
2F F -y’
f
p q

Lens Equation: Magnification:

1 1 1 y ' q
  M 
p q f y p
 Summary of Sign Convention

1. Object p and image q distances 1 1 1

are positive for real and images  
negative for virtual images. p q f
2. Image height y’ and magnifi- y ' q
cation M are positive for erect M 
negative for inverted images y p
3. The focal length f and the radius of curvature
R is positive for converging mirrors and
negative for diverging mirrors.
CONCLUSION: Chapter 36
Lenses