Understanding Lenses

Understanding Lenses
Images are formed when light refracts as it encounters a boundary between two different
materials. For example, when you look at a pencil submerged in water, the apparent distortion
you see is due to refraction. Our sense of sight relies on refraction through the lenses in our eyes,
which help us form images of the objects around us.
A lens is defined as a transparent material that refracts light to create an image, commonly made
of glass or plastic. There are two main types of lenses:
1. Converging Lens (Convex Lens): Thicker in the middle than at the edges.
2. Diverging Lens (Concave Lens): Thinner in the middle than at the edges.
Lenses can produce both real and virtual images. Real images are inverted and can be projected
onto a screen, while virtual images are upright and can be viewed directly through the lens.
Parts of a Lens
To understand lenses better, let’s discuss their components. If we visualize symmetrical lenses as
slices of a sphere, the imaginary line that passes through the center of this sphere is known as the
principal axis. Each lens has a vertex, which is the optical center.
Light rays traveling parallel to the principal axis will either converge or diverge upon reaching
the lens. The point where these rays intersect is referred to as the focal point (denoted as "F").
Each lens has two focal points—one on each side. The distance from the lens to the focal point is
called the focal length (abbreviated as "f").
Ray Diagramming Techniques
To graphically determine the position and characteristics of images formed by lenses, we utilize
ray diagrams. The three special rays used in this process are:
1. P-Ray (Parallel Ray): A ray of light traveling parallel to the principal axis, which
refracts through the focal point.
2. F-Ray (Focal Ray): A ray of light passing through the focal point in front of the lens,
refracted parallel to the principal axis.
3. V-Ray (Vertex Ray): A ray of light passing through the vertex of the lens that continues
in the same direction without significant refraction.
To create a ray diagram, follow these steps:
1. From the tip of the object, draw the P-Ray parallel to the principal axis.
2. From the same point on the object, draw the F-Ray passing through the focal point.
3. From the same point on the object, draw the V-Ray through the vertex.
The intersection of these rays indicates the image point corresponding to the object point.
Describing Image Characteristics
Images formed by lenses can be qualitatively described using the acronym LOST:
 Location: Identified along the principal axis.

 Orientation: Describes whether the image is inverted or upright.
 Size: Compares the image size to the object size (reduced, enlarged, or the same).
 Type: Identifies the image as real or virtual.
Example with a Convex Lens
Let’s consider an example: if an arrow-shaped object is placed beyond 2F in front of a convex

lens, we follow the ray diagramming steps to find the image:
1. Draw the P-Ray from the tip of the arrow parallel to the principal axis.
2. Draw the F-Ray from the tip of the arrow.
3. Draw the V-Ray from the tip of the arrow.
The intersection of these rays will reveal the image characteristics. In this case, the image is
located between F and 2F, is inverted, reduced in size, and is a real image.
Now, it’s your turn! Use the ray diagram in the convex lens to describe the image formed when
an arrow-shaped object is placed at various locations:
1. Between 2F and F
2. At F
3. Between F and the vertex
Concave Lens
The ray diagramming technique for concave lenses is similar but with some adjustments:
1. P-Ray: A ray parallel to the principal axis refracts through the focal point in front of the
lens.
2. F-Ray: A ray directed towards the focal point behind the lens refracts parallel to the
principal axis.
3. V-Ray: This ray passes through the vertex of the lens and continues in the same
direction.
When an object is placed at 2F in front of a concave lens, the resulting image will always be
located between F and the vertex, upright, reduced in size, and virtual.
Applications of Lenses
Lenses play a crucial role in our daily lives. Our eyes contain lenses that help us see, while
optical devices such as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, microscopes, and telescopes utilize
lenses to enhance our vision and understanding of the world.
Conclusion
In this episode of Alam Hub, we have learned that images in lenses are formed through the
refraction of light as it encounters a boundary between different materials. We discussed the two
types of lenses—convex and concave—and practiced ray diagramming techniques to predict
image characteristics. Finally, we recognized the importance of lenses in various optical
instruments.
Thank you for joining me today! Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, and turn on the
notification bell for more educational content. See you next week for another enlightening
session here on Alam Hub, brought to you by the Legend Scitec Portal. Goodbye!

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Ray Diagramming Techniques

To create a ray diagram, follow these steps:

 Location: Identified along the principal axis.

Example with a Convex Lens

Let’s consider an example: if an arrow-shaped object is placed beyond 2F in front of a convex

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