Sign Convention: Mirrors and Lenses
Object Distance (S)
S>0 (Real) “O” to the Left of “V”
S<0 (Virtual) “O” to the Right of “V”
Image Distance (S’)
S’>0 (Real) “O” to the Left of “V” (Mirror)
“O” to the Right of “V” (Lens, Refractive Surface)
S’<0 (Virtual) “O” to the Right of “V” (Mirror)
“O” to the Left of “V” (Lens, Refractive Surface)
Radios of Curvature (R)
R>0 (Convex) “C” to the Right of “V”
R<0 (Concave) “C” to the Left of “V”
S.- Object Distance
S’.- Image Distance
R .- Radios of Curvature
O.- Object Point
V.- Vertex
C.- Center of Curvature
F.- Focal point
f.- Focal distance
Mirror
Convex Concave
Refractive surface
Convex Concave
Imaging Equation: Mirror 𝒉𝒊 &# ()
Magnification: 𝒎 = = −
1 1 2 1 𝒉𝒐 &$ (
+ =− = Object height ℎ*
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑅 𝑓
Image height ℎ*
Erected image 𝑚 > 0
Inverted image 𝑚 < 0
Imaging Equation: Refractive Surface 𝒏𝟏 → 𝒏𝟐
𝑛# 𝑛$ 𝑛$ − 𝑛# 1
+ =− =
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑅 𝑓
Ray Tracing: Mirrors
Ray leaving a point P at the tip of object
Ray 1. Ray Parallel to the Optic Axis (OA). After Reflection:
- Concave: Passes through the Focal Point
- Convex: propagates as if it cam from focal Point
Ray 2. Leaves P in a direction towards or from F
- Concave: Passes trough F→ Reflects and propagates parallel to OA
- Convex: Leaves P as it came from F→ Reflects and emerges parallel to OA
Ray 3. Leaves P and propagates along the line joining P and C (Center of curvature) Reflects along the
same line.
Thin Lens: 𝒏𝟏 → 𝒏𝟐 → 𝒏𝟏
Thin Lens Equation: Newton Equation for Thin Lens
𝑛# 𝑛$ 𝑛$ − 𝑛# 1 1 1 𝒙𝒙) = 𝒇𝟐
+ = ( − )=
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑛# 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑓
Lens Maker Formula
𝑛$ − 𝑛# 1 1 1
( − )=
𝑛# 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑓
𝑥 .- Object distance from Focal Point
𝑥’ .- Image distance Focal Point
Focal Distance 𝑓
Ray Tracing: Thin Lens
Ray leaving a point “P” at the tip of object
Ray 1. Ray leaving P parallel to OA
- Converging lens: After Refraction ray passes through right focal point F
- Diverging lens: comes from left focal point F
Ray 2. Leaves P
- Converging lens: passes though Focal Point F → emerges parallel to OA
- Diverging lens: propagates toward (right) Focal Point F → emerges parallel to OA
Ray 3. Leaves P and propagates along the line joining P and center of the lens in Optical Axis, then it
emerges without deviation.
Convergent Lense Divergent Lense
