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6: LIGHT AND OPTICS

Standard content Learning standards

6.1 Refraction of Light 1. Describe refraction of light.
2. Explain refractive index, n.
3. Conceptualize Snell's Law.
4. Experiment to determine the refractive index, n for glass block or
Perspex.
5. Explain real depth and apparent depth.
6. Experiment to determine refractive index of a medium using real
depth and apparent depth.
7. Solve problems related to refraction of light.
6.2 Total Internal 1. Describe critical angle and total internal reflection.
Reflection 2. Relate critical angle, c with refractive index, n.
3. Communicate to explain natural phenomena and applications of total
internal reflection in daily life.
4. Solve problems involving total internal reflection.
6.3 Image Formation by 1. Identify convex lenses as converging lenses and concave lenses as
Lenses diverging lenses.
2. Estimate focal length for a convex lens using distant object (not
included in module).
3. Determine the position and features of images formed by convex
lens and concave lens.
4. Explain linear magnification, m.
6.4 Thin Lens Formula 1. Experiment to investigate the relationship between object distance,
u and image distance, v for a convex lens.
2. Experiment to determine the focal length of a thin lens using lens
formula.
3. Solve problems using lens formula for convex and concave lens.
6.5 Optical Instruments 1. Justify the usage of lenses in optical instruments such as magnifying
lens, telescope and microscope.
2. Design and build a compound microscope and astronomical
telescope.
3. Communicate application of small lenses in optical instrument
technology. (not included in this module)
6.6 Image Formation by
1. Determine position and features of image formed by concave mirror
Spherical Mirrors
and convex mirror.
2. Explain the applications of concave and convex mirrors in life.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Most of the image, vector or diagram in this module are either original content or available from Freepik.com

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 6.1 Refraction of light
• A phenomenon when light changes direction when it travels from one medium to another medium of
different densities due to change in velocity
Changes during refraction

• speed slower
• propagate towards normal Slow Towards

LIGHT
F A S T
• speed faster Fast Away
• propagate away normal
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Less dense

• Light travels from a medium of low optical density (air) to a

medium

medium of high optical density (glass block).

• Light ray bends towards the normal
• Velocity of light decreases
• Angle of refraction, r is smaller than the angle of incidence, i.
medium
Denser

Remember: Angles must be beside normal line

i • Light travels from a medium high optical density (glass block)

to medium of low optical density (air).
Less dense
medium

• Light ray bends away from the normal

• Velocity of light increases
• Angle of refraction, r is larger than the angle of incidence, i.

Exercise
Sketch to complete the pathway of light as the light enter and exit the glass blocks.

a. b. c.

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 6.1 Refraction of light (cont.)

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• Refractive index, n : the ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in medium
• n > 1.00, no unit
• When n is larger, optical density is higher

Formula for refractive index

(Refer textbook - page 236 and 238 , Experiment 6.1 and 6.2)

speed of light in vacuum Example: Light slows down its speed as it travels from air into a glass
n = block. If the speed of light in the glass block is 2 x 108 ms-1,
speed of light in medium calculate the refractive index of glass.
c
= 3 x 108
v n= n = 1.5
2 x 108

θ1
Snell’s Law: n2 sin θ1 n1
=
n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 n1 sin θ2 n2

θ2

Example:
When medium 1 is air,
n1 = 1.00 Incidence angle of light in air is 50° and it enters a medium
with refractive index 1.8. Calculate refracted angle.
i
sin 50° sin 50°
sin i n 1.8 = sin r = sin 50° r = sin -1
sin r 1.8 1.8
n =
sin r r
r = 25.2°

Real depth H
n = =
Apparent depth h

Example:
The image of an object can be seen 0.8 m from
h
surface. If refracted index of water is 1.33, calculate H
real depth of pool. Image

H Object
1.33 = H = 1.33 x 0.8 H = 1.064 m
0.8

1 1
n = = Example:
sine of critical angle sin c
Critical angle of diamond is 24.4°. Calculate its refractive index.
1
n = n = 2.42
sin 24.4
c

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6.1 Refraction of light (cont.)
Refractive index - Summary
c sin i H 1
n = n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 n = n = n =
v sin r h sin c

Exercise
1. Diagram shows light entering a medium with refractive index 1.43 20 °
from air. Calculate refracted angle, r.

2. A light travels from medium X into air as shown in the diagram.

60 °
Calculate refracted index of medium X.
Medium X

20 °

3. A student observed that the image is closer to the surface than

the actual object. Given that the real depth of the container is 59 °
2.0 m. Based on the diagram, calculate apparent depth.

Image 40 °

Object

4.
Diagram shows the object and image as seen by the observer
when the object is underwater. If the water is replaced with
another material with higher refracted index, what will happen
to the apparent depth?

Image

Object

5. Complete the diagram to show position of image as observed by the fish.

Object

Observer

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 6.1 Refraction of light (cont.)
Drawing image at apparent depth

• Draw a line from object to surface of water – 1

• Draw a refracted ray away from normal – 2
• Draw a dotted line that continues from line (2) into the water – 3
• Draw the image approximately above the object – 4
• Repeat the steps with another point on the image if two lines are required

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4
Image 1 Image

Object Object

6.2 Total internal reflection

Reflection of light rays at the border of two medium when the angle of incidence, i° in an optically
denser medium is greater than the critical angle, c°.

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1. Light travels from dense
Two conditions for total
to less dense medium
internal reflection to happen
2. i>c

Critical angle, c° : angle of incidence in the medium of high optical density when the angle of
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refraction in the medium of lower optical density is equal to 90°.

Example
Given c of material X is 50°. Determine whether total internal reflection happens in the situations below.

60°

45° 55°

1. dense to less 1. dense to less 1. dense to less

2. i>c 2. i>c 2. i > c N/A
Total internal reflection Total internal reflection Total internal reflection

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 6.2 Total internal reflection (cont.)
Natural Phenomena
(Textbook page 247)
Mirage
1. Air above the road is hotter than upper layers.
2. Hot air has smaller optical density.
3. Light moves from higher to lower optical density and
refracts away from normal.
4. i > c , total internal reflection occurs.
5. Reflected light rays are refracted into observer’s eyes.
6. Image of cloud can be seen as puddle on the road.

Formation of Rainbow
1. White light enters water droplet, undergoes
refraction and dispersion (separated into 7
colors).
2. Total internal reflection occurs.
3. Light rays refracted and dispersed as it moves
out of water into air.
4. Colors of rainbow can be observed.

Applications in Daily Life

(Textbook page 248)

Optical fibre
• Used in telecommunication and medicine.
• Made from pure glass or plastic fibres.
• n of inner core > n of outer cladding.

Prism periscope Cat’s eye reflector

• For safety of road user at night.

• Used to see objects • Light from cars’ headlight enters and
behind barriers reflected back by the reflector.
• Image formed is upright
and same size of object.

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Exercise

1. A medium has refractive index 2.32. Calculate its critical angle.

2. Calculate the refractive index of the medium.

50°

3. Diagram shows two medium X and Y with different refractive index. Complete the diagram by
showing the possible pathway of light after light reaches the boundary.

nX = 1.37 nX = 1.63

40° 40°

4. Diagram shows a prism binocular and its cross-section to show the prisms. Complete the pathway
of light in the prisms.
Observer

Object Object

5. An endoscopy is a test to look inside patients’ body. A tube is passed into body through an opening.
The tubes is made out of optic fiber. Based on your knowledge, describe the characteristics of the
optic fiber and give reasons.

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6.3 Image formation by lenses

Convex Light converges Concave Light diverges

lens (focused) lens

u Axis of lens u Axis of lens

v
v
Principal Principal
O axis
O axis
2F F F 2F 2F F F 2F
Mirror vs Lens
f f

Optical term Definition

Optical centre, O Point at centre of lens. Light passing O is not refracted.
Principal axis Straight line through O and centre of curvature of both surfaces of lens.
Axis of lens Straight line through O and perpendicular to principal axis.
Point on principal axis. For convex, light converge at this point after passes lens.
Focal point, F
For concave, light appears to diverge from this point.
Focal length, f Distance between F and O.
Object distance, u Distance between object and O.
Image distance, v Distance between image and O.

Characteristics of image

Real Virtual
• opposite side with object • same side with object
• when converging ray intercepts • when diverging rays are extrapolated backwards
• form a visible projection on a screen • does not form a visible projection on a screen

Inverted Upright

Magnified Same size Diminished

Example
State the characteristics of the images formed below.

O O
I O

Real – Virtual Real – Virtual

I
Real – Virtual
Inverted – Upright Inverted – Upright Inverted – Upright
Magnified – Same size – Diminished Magnified – Same size – Diminished Magnified – Same size – Diminished

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6.3 Image formation by lenses (cont.)
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Formation of image using lens

O O O
F F F F F F
I
KFC Draw “kotak” Passes focal point Passes optical centre

O O O
F F F F F I F
Credit: SPMFlix

Draw “kotak” Extend from focal point Passes optical centre

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Summary of images formation by lens

R R R R V V V V V V V V
I I I I U U U U U U U U
D D S M M M D D D D D D

2F F 2F F

CONVEX LENS CONCAVE LENS

Exercise
Complete the ray diagram and state the characteristics of images formed.

1. 2.

O O

2F F F 2F F F

3. 4.

O
O
F F F F

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6.4 Thin lens formula

u u
v
v
ho O ho hi
O
F I hi F
f f

Thin lens
Magnification
formula
1 1 1
formula = +
(supposed to be in 6.3) 𝑓 𝑢 𝑣
ℎ𝑖 +ve -ve
𝑚=
ℎ0 Focal length, f Convex Concave
(type of lens) lens lens
𝑣 Image
Real Virtual
𝑚= distance, v
image image
𝑢 (type of image)

Example

1. When an 1 cm object is placed 5 cm from optical centre of the lens, an image is produced 7.5 cm
away from the lens. Calculate the image height.
ℎ𝑖
7.5 𝑚=
5.0 cm 𝑚= ℎ0
5.0
7.5 cm ℎ𝑖
1 cm O = 1.5 1.5 =
1
hi
I hi = 1.5 cm

2. Given a convex lens with focal length 5 cm and object distance 3 cm. Calculate the image distance
and determine whether the image is real or virtual.

u = 3 (u always +ve)
1 1 1
v=? = +
f = 5 (f convex +ve) 5 3 𝑣
1 2
=−
𝑣 15
v = −7.5 cm Image distance is 7.5 cm. It is virtual image.

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Exercise

1. When an object is placed 6 cm from optical center of the lens, an image is produced 2 cm away from
the lens. Calculate the image height if the object height is 3 cm.
6 cm
3cm O I

2 cm

2. When an 2 cm object is placed 4 cm from optical center of the lens, an image is produced 12 cm
away from the object. Calculate the image height. 4 cm

2 cm O

I hi

12 cm
3. An object is placed 3 cm from optical center of a convex lens. The lens has 2 cm focal length.
Calculate the image distance.
3 cm

F F
I

2 cm

4. An object is placed 9 cm from optical center of a concave lens. The lens has 2 cm focal length.
Calculate the image distance. State the characteristics of the image.
9 cm

O
F
2 cm

5. An object is placed 2 cm from optical center of a convex lens. The lens has 3 cm focal length.
Calculate the image distance and magnification of the lens.

2 cm

3 cm

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6.5 Optical instruments
Magnifying
glass I
O
• Object distance, u < focal length, f
• Image virtual, upright, magnified F F

Telescope

Fo / Fe • Study celestial objects

I1 • Object is at infinity
Fo Fe
• Final image virtual,
inverted, magnified
compared to object
I2

Microscope

• Study microorganisms O
• Object is between Fo 2F Fo Fe I1 Fe
Fo
and 2Fo
• Final image virtual, I2
inverted, magnified
compared to object

Microscope vs telescope

S I M I L A R I T I E S
Uses two convex lenses
Final image: virtual, inverted, magnified
D I F F E R E N C E S
Telescope Microscope
Objective lens: Low Objective lens: High
Power of lens
Eyepiece: High Eyepiece: High
Focal length fo > fe fo < fe

Distance between the lens D = fo + fe D > fo + fe

Object distance Infinity f < u < 2f

Characteristic of first image
real, inverted, diminished real, inverted, magnified
(object of eyepiece)
Between focal point and
Position of first image At the focal point of both lens
optical centre of eyepiece
Position of the final image Infinity Close to the eye
𝑓𝑜
Magnification 𝑀= 𝑀 = 𝑚𝑜 × 𝑚𝑒
𝑓𝑒

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Exercise
1. Write the correct symbol ( > / < / = ) in the empty spaces to produce correct statements.

a. In telescope, focal length of objective lens, fo focal length of eyepiece lens, fe.
b. In microscope, focal length of objective lens, fo focal length of eyepiece lens, fe.
c. In telescope, distance between objective lens and eyepiece is fo + fe.
d. In microscope, distance between objective lens and eyepiece is fo + fe.

2. Given than power of a lens can be calculated using the formula Power = 1 / focal length. If the power
of objective lens and eyepiece of a telescope are 1.67 D and 2.50 D respectively, calculate the
distance between the two lenses.

Fo / Fe
I1 Fe
Fo

I2

3. Distance of objective lens from object and first image is 1 cm and 2 cm respectively. Distance of
eyepiece from first image and second image is 3 cm and 9 cm respectively. Calculate magnification
of the microscope.
1 cm 2 cm 3 cm

2F Fo Fo Fe I1 Fe

I2

9 cm
4. A telescope is an optical instrument with two lenses that can be used
to observe distant object. Using your knowledge, suggest suitable
characteristics for the telescope and give reasons.

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6.6 Image formation by spherical mirror

CONVEX CONCAVE
MIRROR MIRROR

Wide field Narrow field

of vision of vision

u u
f
Object Object
Image f
Principal Principal Image
axis axis
F P F C C F P
v
v
r r

Optical terms Definition

Principal axis Straight line through C and pole of spherical mirror, P.
Centre of curvature, C Centre of sphere which produces concave or convex mirror.
Radius of curvature, r Distance between pole, P and centre, C.
Point on principal axis. For concave mirror, light converge at this point. For
Focal point, F
convex, light appears to diverge from this point.
Object distance, u Distance between object and P.
Image distance, v Distance between image and P.
Focal length, f Distance between F and P.

Characteristics of image

Real Virtual
• Same side with object • Opposite side from object
Inverted Upright
Magnified Same size Diminished

Example
State the characteristics of the images formed below.
I
O O
O I

Real – Virtual Real – Virtual Real – Virtual

Inverted – Upright Inverted – Upright Inverted – Upright
Magnified – Same size – Diminished Magnified – Same size – Diminished Magnified – Same size – Diminished

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6.6 Image formation by spherical mirror (cont.)
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Formation of image using mirrors

“modified”
O O O

KFC F
Draw “kotak”
F F
Reflected from F
F F F
Reflected from C
C

O O O
F F F F I F F
Credit: SPMFlix

Draw “kotak” Reflected through F Pass F then do “kotak”

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Summary of images formation by mirror

V V V V V V R R R R V V
U U U U U U I I I I U U
D D D D D D D D S M M M

C F C F

CONVEX MIRROR CONCAVE MIRROR

Exercise
Complete the ray diagram and state the characteristics of images formed.

1. 2.

O O

F F C C F

3. 4.
O
O
C F F C F

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6.6 Image formation by spherical mirror (cont.)
Application of concave mirrors

Cosmetic Dental Headlight

mirror mirror reflector

Magnified image for Upright and magnified Maintain light intensity

applying make up image to examine teeth at a distance

Application of convex mirrors

Blindspot mirror Rear mirror

• Placed at sharp corner of road

• Widen field of vision of driver

Security mirror
• Surveillance purpose • provide wide field of vision
• Wide field of vision • enable driver to see vehicles
coming from behind

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