Chapter 7

LIGHT, COLOUR AND SIGHT.

7.1 Formation of Images.
Formation of images b !"ane mirrors.
images formed by a plane mirror are caused by reflection of light from the
mirror surface.
the characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror are :
a) virtual
b) inversed laterally
c) upright
d) the same size as the object
e) image distance and object distance from the plane mirror are
the same.
formation of image on a plane mirror
Formation of images b "enses.
the image formed by a convex lens depends on the distance of the object
from the lens.
therefore, the characteristics of the image formed by a convex lens are
a) virtual or real
b) upright or inverted
c) diminished or enlarged
object
image
observer
plane mirror
normal
Convex lens Concave lens
Type of lens
Biconvex lens Biconcave lens
Role Converges light rays that
passes through it.
iverges light rays that passes
through it.
Characteristics
of image
!or a distant object, the
image formed is real, inverted
and smaller than the object.
!or a near object, the image
formed is virtual, upright and
bigger than the object.
"mage formed is virtual,
upright, and diminished.
Ra #iagrams.
a ray diagram is a diagram #hich sho#s the path of light rays passing
through a lens.
object distance is the distance bet#een object and optical centre.
image distance is the distance bet#een image and optical centre.
for a convex lens, light rays that are parallel #ith the principle axis #ill
converge at the focal point behind the lens.
Focus point
Optical centre
for a concave lens, light rays that are parallel to the principal axis #ill
diverge after passing through the lens causing the focal point to be placed
in front of the lens.
Constr$%tion of ra #iagrams.
there are specific procedures to follo# #hen constructing ray diagrams.
#hen dra#ing ray diagrams, the follo#ing should be adhered to :
all rays from the object should be dra#n #ith solid lines #ith the
direction mar$ed.
virtual rays should be dra#n using bro$en lines.
real images should be dra#n #ith solid lines and virtual images
should be dra#n using bro$en lines.
Focus point
Optical centre
Ra #iagrams of t&e formation of images b %on'e( "ens at #ifferent ob)e%t
#istan%es.
%bject more than &!
The image formed is :
real
inverted
smaller than the size of the object
%bject at &!
The image formed is :
real
inverted
same size as the object
%bject bet#een ! and &!
The image formed is :
real
inverted
larger than the size of the object
%bject at !
The image formed is :
image is formed at infinity
%bject less than !
The image formed is :
virtual
upright
larger than the size of the object
7.* Formation of Image b O!ti%a" Instr$ments.
O!ti%a" Instr$ments.
Periscopes
are normally used in submarines to loo$ at objects on the #ater
surface.
a periscope consists of t#o plane mirrors arranged parallel to one
another at an angle of '(
o
.
the image formed by a periscope is
o virtual
o upright
o the same size as the object
o at the same distance from the object.
the mirrors in the periscope can be replaced by a prism.
the image formed #ill be clearer.
a periscope works based on the principle of the reflection of light
Magnifying glass
a magnifying glass is used to observe small objects.
the image formed is larger than the size of the object.
is made of a biconvex lens.
#hen holding a magnifying glass, the object distance is less than
the focal length thus, the image formed is
o virtual
o upright
o larger than the size of the object
a magnifying glass
a ray diagram showing the formation of image by a magnifying glass
Microscope
is used to observe tiny object.
consists of t#o convex lenses.
#hen observing a tiny object, the tiny object must be out in front of
the objective lens.
the objective lens forms an image #hich is
o real
o inverted
o larger than the size of the object
the eyepiece acts as a magnifying glass to enlarge the image
formed by the objective lens is
o virtual
o inverted
o enlarged
Telescope
is used to loo$ at distant objects.
also consists of t#o concave lenses.
the objective lens has a long focal length #hile the eyepiece has a
short focal length.
a distant object is focused by the objective lens and forms an image
at the focal point is
o real
o inverted
o smaller than the size of the object
the eyepiece acts as a magnifying glass to enlarge the real image
formed by the objective lens is
o virtual
o inverted
o larger than the size of the object
Camera
a camera consists of three main parts ) the lens, the shutter and
the film.
the lens focuses the image of an object onto the film, the lens is
adjusted by the focus adjuster either to#ards or a#ay from the film
to obtain a sharp image of an object.
to focus on a nearby object, the lens is adjusted a#ay from the film
to obtain a sharp image.
to focus on a distant object, the lens is adjusted to#ards the film to
obtain a sharp image.
light rays that enter #ill pass through the diaphragm.
the diaphragm changes the size of the aperture to control the
amount of light entering the lens.
the image on the film is real, inverted, and smaller than the size of
the object.
+art of %amera F$n%tion
*ens +convex) !ocuses the image of a distant object on the film.
,perture ,llo#s light to enter the camera.
iaphragm To control the camera aperture that allo#s light to enter the
camera.
!ilm ,cts as a screen to receive an object image that captured on
it.
Com!arison bet,een ee an# %amera.
the eye of human functions li$e a camera.
the eye lens focuses light onto the retina to form an image.
comparison between eye and camera.
comparison of the structure of the eye and that of the camera to their
functions.
+art of t&e ee F$n%tion +art of t&e %amera
-ye lens !ocuses light to form an image Camera lens
"ris Control the size of aperture and
amount of light that enter
iaphragm
.upil ,llo#s light to enter ,perture
Ciliary body Changes the size of lens to obtain
a sharp image
!ocus adjuster
Retina ,cts as a photosensitive layer to
capture image
!ilm
the characteristics of an image formed on the retina of the eye are real,
inverted, and smaller than the size of the object.
the ciliary body regulates the thic$ness of the eye lens. +this regulates the
focal length of the eye lens)
#hen loo$ing at a distant object, the ciliary body contracts and the lens
becomes thinner.
#hen loo$ing are a nearby object, the ciliary body relaxes and the lens
becomes thic$er.
the focus adjuster regulates the distance bet#een the lens and the film to
obtain a sharp image.
#hen ta$ing a picture of a distant object, the focus adjuster is adjusted so
that the lens is nearer to the film.
#hen ta$ing a picture of a nearby object, the focus adjuster is adjusted so
that the lens is further a#ay from the film.
the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering the eye are controlled
by the iris.
if #e enter a dimly lit room, the size of the pupil enlarges and the amount
of light entering the eye increases.
if #e come out form a dar$ room to a brighter place and the amount of
light entering the eye decreases.
the size of aperture and the amount of light entering the camera is
controlled by the diaphragm.
#hen ta$ing a picture under a dar$ conditions, the diaphragm increases
the size of the aperture and the amount of light entering the camera
increases.
#hen ta$ing a picture under bright conditions, the diaphragm decreases
the size of the aperture and the amount of light entering the camera
decreases.
7.- Lig&t Dis!ersion.
is a process in #hich #hite light is split into its colour constituents called
spectrum #hen it passes through a prism.
a spectrum consists of seven colours in this order :
/. red
&. orange
0. yello#
'. green
(. blue
1. indigo
2. violet
light dispersion occurs because each colour constituent travels at different
speed through the prism.
therefore, the coloured lights are refracted at different angles.
violet light is refracted more by a glass prism compared to red light #hich
has a longer #avelength.
this is because violet light travels at the lo#est speed.
Formation of rainbo,.
is natural phenomenon related to the dispersion of light.
a rainbo# can be seen during a drizzle in the morning or afternoon #hen
sunlight shines on the raindrops.
a raindrop acts as a prism.
a rainbo# is formed #hen sunlight passes through raindrops.
the sunlight is retracted and dispersed into its colour constituents.
Formation of rainbow
+a) sunlight shines on the raindrop.
+b) a part of the sunlight is reflected off the outer surface of the raindrop.
+c) a part of the light is refracted at different angles in the raindrop.
+d) the light is split into its colour constituents through dispersion.
+e) the colour constituents are reflected off the far inner surface of the
raindrop.
+f) light refraction occurs again as it exits the raindrop.
+g) a rainbo# is formed in the s$y.
7.. Lig&t S%attering.
the earth3s atmosphere contains particles li$e gas molecules, vapour, and
dust.
#hen #hite light incidents these particles, light rays are obstructed and
reflected.
these light rays scatter in all directions. +this occurrence is called light
scattering)
light scattering is related to light colour4 blue light is scattered more
compared to red light because blue light has a shorter #avelength.
lights #ith shorter #avelength are refracted more.
examples of light scattering #hich occurs as natural phenomena are :
a) the blue s$y during the day
b) the red s$y during sunset
c) the red sun at sunset
blue light #hich a shorter #avelength is scattered more in all directions.
this causes the s$y to appear blue.
at sunset, sunlight passes through a thic$er atmospheric layer.
red and orange lights #ith long #avelengths pass through the atmosphere
#ithout disturbance because the other colours are scattered.
conse5uently, red and orange lights can be observed.
this causes the sun or the s$y to appear red or orange at sunset.
7./ A##ition an# S$btra%tion of %o"o$re# "ig&ts.
A##ition of %o"o$re# "ig&ts.
primary colours are colours #hich cannot be obtained from mixing other
colours.
there are three primary colours, namely red, blue, and green.
secondary colours are colours produced by adding primary colours.
there are three secondary colours, namely yello#, magenta, and cyan.
addition of primary colours and secondary colours and secondary colours
can produce #hite light.
for example, yello# light mixed #ith blue light #ill gave #hite light.
S$btra%tion of %o"o$re# "ig&ts.
coloured filters consist of primary and secondary filters.
primary filters consist of red, green, and blue filters.
primary filters only allo# lights of the same colours to pass through them,
other coloured lights are absorbed.
ex. a green filter only allo#s green light to pass through it, other coloured
lights are absorbed.
secondary filters consist of yello#, magenta and cyan filters.
secondary filters allo# lights of the same colours and primary colours that
form them to pass through them.
ex. a yello# filter allo#s yello# light and primary colours that form it,
namely red and green lights, to pass through it.
the absorption of coloured lights by coloured filters is called subtraction of
coloured lights.
7./ +rin%i!"e of S$btra%tion of Co"o$re# Lig&ts to 0(!"ain T&e A!!earan%e
of %o"o$re# ob)e%ts.
the colour of an opa5ue object depends on the colour of the light that it
reflects.
an object of a primary colour, i.e. red, blue or green, only reflects light of
the same colour.
for example, a blue object only reflects blue light.
an object of a secondary colour, i.e. yello#, magenta, or cyan, reflects
light of the same colour and the primary colours that form it.
for example, a magenta object reflects magenta, red, and blue lights.
a #hite object appears #hite in #hite light because a #hite object reflects
all colours. +no coloured lights are absorbed)
a blac$ object appears blac$ because all coloured lights are absorbed by
it. +no coloured light is reflected)
absorption of light by coloured objects is based on the principle of
subtraction of coloured lights.
the colour of an object depends on
a) the colour of the light the stri$es it
b) the colours of the light absorbed
c) the colour of the light reflected
F$n%tion of ro# %e""s an# %one %e""s in t&e ee.
the retina contains t#o types of cell that are sensitive to light
stimulus
6 rod cells
o is sensitive to light of lo# intensity
o such as night
o not sensitive to colour and only a blac$ and #hite image
is produced.
6 cone cells
o is sensitive to light of high intensity to detect colour
o there are three types of cone cell, and each is sensitive
to red, green, and blue light respectively.
o other colours #hich can be seen are the products of
mixing the three colours.
0ffe%ts of mi(ing !igments,
/. The primary colours of pigments are red, blue, and yello#.
&. 7ixing red, blue, and yello# in different amounts gives various colours.
0. 8hen these colours are mixed in the correct amounts, blac$ is obtained.
'. 7ixing pigments is based on the principle of subtraction of coloured lights.
(. .igments are not as pure as coloured lights. .igments have the property of
absorbing and reflecting certain colours #hen shone on by #hite light.
1. !or example,
a. blue pigment reflects violet, blue and green lights.
b. magenta pigment reflects red and blue lights.
2. 8hen t#o pigments are mixed, the colour produced is the colour reflected by
both pigments.
9. ,ll colours, except #hile, can be produced by mixing coloured pigments.
Co"o$r of !igments Co"o$r obtaine#
Red : ;ello# %range
Cyan : ;ello# <reen
7agenta : ;ello# Red
=lue : ;ello# <reen
7agenta : ;ello# : Cyan =lac$
colours obtained from the mixing some coloured pigments.
7.1 Im!ortan%e of Co"o$r in Dai" Life.
Uses of %o"o$r in #ai" "ife.
The uses of colour in our daily life are as follo#s :
+a) printing +c) traffic lights
+b) electrical #iring +d) symbols and lights
Printing
colour pictures are printed by using four colours ) yello#, magenta, cyan,
and blac$ ) on separate plates.
the blac$ colour is used to ma$e the picture appears sharp and clearer.
Simi"arit ,ddition of coloured
lights
7ixing coloured
pigments
Can be mixed to get other
colours
Differen%e
"mpure
>ubtraction of colour
Red, blue, yello#
.ure
,ddition of colour
Red, blue, green
.urity of colour
7ethod of colour
mixing
.rimary colours
.roduct of colour
mixing
>tage / ) The image is printed #ith yello# follo#ed by magenta.
>tage & ) The product of >tage / is printed #ith cyan.
>tage 0 ) !inally, the picture is printed #ith blac$ to ma$e the picture clear.
Colour printing
the international colour code is used in the #iring of three6pin plugs.
live #ire is bro#nish or red in colour
neutral #ire is blue
earth #ire is yello# #ith green stripes or just green in colour
Traffic lights
a traffic light consists of red, yello#, and green lamps.
each colour represents a certain signal.
red ) stop
yello# +amber) ) ready to stop
green ) go
Symbols and signals
the red light of an ambulance indicates an emergency.
the yello# line by the roadside indicates a no6par$ing area.
the #hite line in the middle of the road separates the left and right lanes of
the road.
the t#o #hite lines in the middle of the road indicate that no overta$ing is
permitted.
Im!ortan%e of %o"o$r to "i'ing t&ings.
colour is also important to plants and animals.
colour enables animals to protect themselves form danger or to ma$e it
easy for them to hunt their preys by means of camouflaging to the
surroundings.
some animals have the ability to change the colour of their bodies according
to the colour of the surroundings.
the males of many species of birds, li$e the peacoc$, have colourful
feathers to attract the attention of the females for mating purpose.
colourful flo#ers attract the attention of insects for the pollination purpose.
poisonous animals usually have bright colours to #arn other animals.
for example, toads that have bright colours are usually poisonous.