High School Physics - Core Concept Cheat Sheet

17: Geometric Optics

Key Physics Terms

Geometric Optics Problem Solving Tips

Plane mirror: A flat reflective surface. Creates an image

that is virtual, upright, the same size and that appears to
be as far behind the mirror as original is in front.
Law of reflection: The angle of incidence equals the angle
of reflection. Angles are measured relative to a line normal
to the surface.
Normal line: A line drawn perpendicular to the surface.
Virtual image: The rays of light do not actually pass
through the image; they just seem to originate from that
location. Cannot be projected onto a screen.
Diffuse reflection: Reflection from a rough surface where
variations in the direction of the surface cause light to
reflect in different directions.
Concave mirror: A curved surface that focuses parallel
rays of light to a single point, the focal point. Image type,
size, and orientation depend on objects position. Also called
a converging mirror.
Convex mirror: A curved surface that diverges light as if it
originates from a point behind the mirror, the focal point.
Forms a virtual image. Also called a diverging mirror.
Focal length: Distance from the lens or mirror to the focal
point.
Center of curvature: Twice the focal length of a lens or
mirror. This represents the center of the spherical surface if
it was extended.
Real image: An image where the rays of light actually
pass through the image. It can be projected onto a screen.
Ray diagram: A tool for tracing the path of light incident
on a lens or mirror, assumes light is a straight line.
Refraction: The bending of light due to a change in its
velocity in various media.
Index of refraction: The ratio between the speed of light
in a vacuum and speed of light in a particular medium.
Dispersion: The separation of light into colors by
refraction. Used in prism and cause of rainbows.
Total internal reflection: The complete reflection of light
when it strikes the boundary between two media at greater
than a critical angle. Used in fiber optics.
Convex lens: A converging lens that gathers incoming
parallel light rays to a single focal point. Image may be real
or virtual depending on objects position.
Concave lens: A diverging lens that diverges light as if it
originates from a point in front of the lens, the focal point.
Forms a virtual image, smaller, upright image.
Spherical aberration: A lens defect where light is
imperfectly focused near the focal point.
Chromatic aberration: A lens defect where various color
focus at different locations.

Variables Used and Key Metric Units

f= focal length of mirror or lens. Units, m

do=objects distance from the mirror or lens. Units, m
di= images distance from the mirror or lens. Units, m
n= index of refraction
hi= height of image. Units, m
ho= height of object. Units, m
m = magnification
v= velocity of light in a particular medium. Units, m/s
= angle between given ray and normal line. Units, degrees

These tips will make it easier to solve any physics problems.

Thoroughly read the entire problem.
Draw a ray diagram carefully.
Identify all given information.
Identify the quantity to be found.
Select appropriate formula(s) that incorporate what you
know and what you want to find. Pay extra attention of
sign conventions.
Convert units if needed.
Do any mathematical calculations carefully.

Ray Diagrams
object

2f

Focal
point

Focal
point

Image

With this convex

lens notice how the
rays travel and
meet when the
image is formed. In
this case, a real,
magnified, inverted
image is formed.

Rays meet to give an inverted, real, larger image.

image
Focal
point

In this case, a virtual, smaller, and upright image is formed.

Mirror/Lens
Type

Object
Position
Beyond C
At C
Between F & C
At F
In front of F

Concave Mirror
Or
Convex Lens
Convex Mirror
Or
Concave Lens

Anywhere

With this convex

mirror, notice how
the rays dont
actually meet. You
must trace the rays
backwards into the
mirror to see
where they seem
to originate.

Type of
Image
Real
Real
Real
None
Virtual
Virtual

Orientation/
Size
Inverted, smaller
Inverted, same
Inverted, larger
None
Upright, larger
Upright, smaller

Sign Conventions

Virtual images are di

Real images are +di
Converging optics have +f
Diverging optics have f
Objects distance is always +do

Example Refraction Diagram

air
Air, n=1.00
Glass, n=1.52
glass

Key Formulas and Constants

Note how the

beam bends to
the normal
when entering
the more dense
glass medium.
Then it bends
away from the
normal when re
entering air.

Air, n=1.00
1/f=1/do+1/di
air
m=hi/ho=-di/do
n=c/v
n1sin1=n2sin2
speed of light in a vacuum, c = 3.0 x 108m/s
refractive index of air = 1.00
How to Use This Cheat Sheet: These are the keys related this topic. Try to read through it carefully twice then rewrite it on a
blank sheet of paper. Review it again before the exams.

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