CHAPTER (7)
Applications of Light And Optical Instruments
1. Why must a camera lens be moved further from the film to focus on a closer object?
Since converging lens are used in cameras, the image distance would increase from the
lens as the distance decreases. Thus, to get a sharp image, the lens should be moved further
from the film.
2. Name the essential parts of a human eye?
The essential parts of a human eye are eyelid, cornea, aqueous humour, viterous
humour, iris, pupil, ciliary muscles, eyelens, retina, optic nerve and yellow spot.
3. Discuss the important role of ciliary muscles for the eye?
The ciliary muscles are attached to the eyelens. The ciliary muscles can vary the
thickness of the eyelens, thus alter the focal length of the lens to obtain a sharp image on the
retina. When near objects are viewed, the ciliary muscles contract and permit the eyelens to
form a more convex shape. When distant objects are viewed, the ciliary muscles relax and
the eyelens becomes less convex.
4. State two defects of vision. Mention of the causes of the defects and corrections to these
defects?
The two defects of vision are farsightedness (hyperopia) and near sightedness (myopia).
Farsightedness
For a person with farsightedness, the rays from near objects intersect at a point behind
the retina after passing through the eyelens.
Cause of farsightedness
This is due to an eyeball which is too short or duce to the eyelens which cannot be
sufficiently convex.
Correction to farsightedness
This defect can be corrected by the use of spectacles with converging lens or convex lens.
Nearsightedness
For a person with nearsightedness, the rays from distant objects intersect at a point in
front of the retina after passing through the eyelens.
Causes of nearsightedness
This is due to an eyeball which is too long or due to the eyelens which is more convex
than is necessary.
Correction to nearsightedness
This defect can be corrected by the use of spectacles with diverging lens or concave lens.
5. The final image produced by the compound microscope cannot be projected. Why?
The final image produce by the compound microscope is a virtual image. Virtual
image cannot be projected on the screen.
6. A concave mirror instead of a lens is used as an object in an astronomical telescope. Why?
For a high magnifying power of the refracting astronomical telescope, an objective
of long focal length and eyepiece of short focal length are required.
To obtain the sharp image of distant objects, the objective should have a large
diameter. In practice, it is difficult to make a perfect convex lens of large diameter free from
defects so that a concave mirror instead of a convex lens is used as an objective.
7. How is a terrestrial telescope constructed to obtain the final image which is erect?
In the terrestrial telescope, a concave lens, instead of a convex lens, is used as an
eyepiece to produced a final image which is erect.
The object is a convex lens and the eyepiece is a concave lens. The eyepiece is placed
within the focal length of the objective.
The first image formed by the objective is at the focus of the objective and real. This
first image becomes a virtual object for the eyepiece.
8. What is the function of cladding in an optical fibre?
The function of the cladding is to provide a lower refractive index at the core
interface in order to cause total internal reflection within the core so that light waves are
transmitted through the fibre.
9. Mation the different types of spectrometer?
The different types of spectrometer are
(i) spectrometers (UV- vis spectrometer)
(ii) spectrofluorometer and
(iii) Raman spectrometers.
10. Name the dispersion elements used in the optical spectrometers?
Dispersion elements are prism and grating.
11. Describe the differences between camera and the eye?
Camera Eye
1. The focal length of the camera The focal length of the eye-lens
lens cannot be varried. can be varried.
2. The position of the camera lens The position of the eye-lens
can be adjusted. cannot be adjusted.
3. The camera has no yellow spot the eye has yellow spot and
and blind spot. blind spot.
