Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 .

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7: LIGHT, COLOUR AND SIGHT

7.1 Formation of Images by Plane Mirror and Lenses

A. Images Formed by a Plane Mirror

Object

Eye

Characteristics of image formed by plane mirror:

1. Upright
2. Laterally inverted
3. Same size as the object
4. Virtual (cannot be shown on a screen)
5. Object distance same as image distance

B. Images Formed by Lenses

1. Types of lenses:

Convex lens Concave lens

Converge light Diverge light

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

C. Formation of Images by Convex Lenses

Position of Object Ray Diagram Characteristics of Image Application

Lens

object F
More than 2F Camera

2F F

Lens

object F Photocopy
At 2F
machine
2F F

Lens

object F Microscope,
Between F and 2F
slide projector
2F F

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

Position of Object Ray Diagram Characteristics of Image Application

Lens

At F object Searchlight
F
F
2F

Lens
Less than F Hand lens
object
F

2F F

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

D. Formation of Images by Concave Lenses

Position of Object Ray Diagram Characteristics of Image

Lens

object F
More than 2F

2F F

Lens

object F
Between F and 2F

2F F

Conclusion: A concave lens always forms a ________________, ________________ and ________________ image, no matter what the object distance is.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

E. Formation of Images by Different Thickness of Convex Lenses

Type of Convex Lens Ray Diagram Focal Length

Thick Short

Thin Long

7.2 Formation of Images by Optical Instruments and the Eye

A. Optical Instruments
1. Optical instruments that use plane mirrors:
• periscope
• kaleidoscope
2. Optical instruments that use lenses:
• hand lens
• microscope
• telescope
• binoculars

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

B. The Camera and The Eye

1. Simple camera:

Focusing ring
Moves the lens forward or backward
for focusing the image on the film.

Convex lens Film

Forms image on the film. Captures the image of the
object.

Shutter
Controls the length of time for
Diaphragm film to be exposed to light
Controls the size of the aperture and
amount of light entering the camera.
Aperture
Opening for light to enter
the camera.

2. Pin-hole camera:
Pin hole

Object
Screen

a) Characteristic of the image formed:

(i) Real (ii) Inverted (iii) Diminised

b) Factors
ctors which influence the image formed in pin-hole camera:

Factor Explanation

Object distance The further the object distance, the smaller the image formed on the
screen.
A smaller pin-hole
pin gives a sharper image.
Size of pin-hole
A larger pin-hole
pin gives a brighter but blurred image.

Number of pin-holes Two images are formed when there are two pin-holes.
holes.

Distance of screen from pin hole, the larger the image

The longer the distance of screen from the pin-hole,
pin-hole formed on the screen.
Convex lens placed in
A sharper image is formed on the screen.
front of the pin-hole
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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

3. The human eye:

Ciliary muscle
Retina
Iris

Pupil

Convex lens

Characteristics of image formed:

Real
Object
Inverted
Diminished

Part of Eye Function

Convex lens Focus light / Forms image on the retina.
Pupil Allow light into the eye.
Iris Control the size of pupil.
Ciliary muscle Change the thickness of the lens.
Retina Form image.

4. Comparison between human eye and camera:

Analogy Human Eye Camera

Lens Convex Convex
Focal length Variable Fixed
Opening for light Pupil Aperture
Part which controls opening Iris Diaphragm
Image formed at Retina Film

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

7.3 Dispersion of Light

1. Dispersion of light – separation of white light into its seven colours by a glass prism.
2. Each coloured light is refracted at different angle due to its different speed.
a) Red is refracted the least because it travels the fastest.
b) Violet is refracted the most because it travels the slowest.

Glass prism White screen Glass prism White screen

3. The colours in the spectrum can be recombined into white light by placing:
a) an inverted glass prism next to the first glass prism.

b) a convex lens next to the first glass prism.

4. Natural phenomenon: Formation of rainbow

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

7.4 Scattering of Light

1. Scattering of light – gas molecules, water vapour and dust in the air deflect light from the original path
towards all directions.
2. Scattering of light depends on the wavelength of light:
a) Red is least scattered because it has the longest wavelength.
b) Violet / Blue is most scattered because it has the shortest wavelength.

Red, orange & yellow

White light Particles in air less scattered and
travelled further

Violet, indigo & blue much scattered;

scattered
but violet and indigo are absorbed by the atmosphere.

3. Natural phenomenon: Blue sky, Red sunset

4. Why astronaut in outer space sees a black sky?
This is because there are no gas or dust particles to reflect or scatter sunlight.

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

7.5 Addition and Subtraction of Coloured Lights

A. Addition of Coloured Lights
1. Addition of coloured lights – overlapping of two primary coloured lights on a white screen to produce a
secondary coloured light.
2. Colours can be classified into two groups:
a) Primary colours – colours that cannot be obtained by mixing any other colours – Red, Blue, Green
b) Secondary colours – colours that are obtained by mixing two primary colours – Magenta, Cyan,
Yellow

3. Complementary colours – two colours (one primary colour and one secondary colour) which when
mixed produced white.
a) Red + Cyan
b) Blue + Yellow
c) Green + Magenta

B. Subtraction of Coloured Lights by Coloured Filters

1. Filter – transparent piece of glass or plastic which allows some light through and prevent others.
2. Subtraction of coloured lights – action of a filter which prevents certain colours in white light from
passing through it.
3. a) Primary filter – only allows its own colour to pass through it.
b) Secondary filter – allows its own colour and its component colours to pass through it.
4. When two filters are held together, only the colour common to both filters can pass through them.

white white white

red filter cyan filter yellow filter cyan filter

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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

7.6 Apperance of Coloured Objects

A. Coloured Objects
1. Factors affecting the colour of an object:
a) colour shone on the object
b) colour of the object
c) colour reflected by the object
2. Object in primary colour – refletcs its own colour and absorbs other colours.
3. Object in secondary colour – reflects its own colour and its component colours.
4. White object looks white – reflects all the colours in the white light.
5. Black object looks black – absorbs all the colours in white light.

White light Red light Green light

Red shirt Red shirt Red shirt

White light Cyan light Blue light

Cyan shirt Cyan shirt Cyan shirt

Yellow light Red light

Cyan shirt Cyan shirt

B. Rods and Cones in Retina

1. Rods:
a) suitable for seeing at night
b) more sensitive to dim light
c) do not see colour, see objects in black and white
d) identify the different forms and shapes of objects
2. Cones:
a) suitable for seeing in day and light
b) more sensitive to bright light
c) 3 types of cones, each sensitive to one primary colour
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 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 7

7.7 Pigments
A. Pigments and Their Uses
1. Pigments – coloured substances, usually obtained from plants.
2. Pigments are used in – paint, dye, textile, food, cosmetics etc.

B. Mixing Pigments
1. Primary colours – Red, Blue, Yellow
2. White cannot be obtained by mixing pigments, instead black is obtained.
3. Mixing of pigments is a process of subtraction of colours.
4. Example: Yellow pigment + Cyan pigment = Green pigment

7.8 Importance of Colour in Daily Life

A. Uses of Colour in Daily Life
1. Traffic lights
2. Electrical wiring
3. Colour television
4. Code for resistors
5. Photography
6. Colour printing

B. Importance of Colour to Living Things

1. Reproduction – peacock, fighting fish – to attract mate
2. Camouflage – chameleon, grasshopper, tiger – to hide themselves from their enemies (predators) or
prey
3. As a warning – frog, snake – poisonous animals often have bright colours
4. Pollination – bright coloured flowers attract insects and animals
5. Dispersal of fruits and seeds – colourful fruits and seeds attract animals

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