A LENS is a shaped transparent material that can

refract light to form an image. Light refracts as it

passes through a lens. The greater the curve of the
lens, the more the light refracts. The direction of the
refraction depends on whether the curve is inward or
outward.

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

There are two main types of lenses, the
converging lens (convex lens) and the
diverging lens (concave lens).

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

A converging lens is a lens that is thicker in the middle than
at the edges, it is also known as a convex lens. Notice that the
light rays that pass through a convex lens come together, or
converge, that is why it is called a converging lens.

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

A diverging lens is thicker at the edge than in the middle, it is
also known as a concave lens. Notice that the light rays
spread out, or diverge as they pass through a concave lens,
that is why it is known as a diverging lens.

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Parts of the lens and light rays
Optical Center (P) - the point through which all light rays pass without being
bent. For double concave or double convex lenses, the optical center is the
geometric center.

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Parts of the lens and light rays
Principal Focus (F) - is the point where they converge.

F1 P F2
or or
F’ F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Parts of the lens and light rays
Principal Axis - the line joining the optical centers and the principal focus.

Principal Axis F1 P F2
or or
F’ F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Parts of the lens and light rays
focal length (f) - is the distance of the principal focus from the center of the
lens.

f f

Principal Axis F1 P F2
2F1 2F2
or or
or or
2F’ F’ F 2F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
convex lenses
Rays 1:
Incident light rays that are parallel to the principal axis
will pass through the focal point after refracting through
the lens.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
convex lenses
Rays 2:
Incident light rays that are directed at the optical
center will pass directly through.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
convex lenses
Rays 3:
Incident light rays that pass through the focal point
before hitting the lens will become parallel to the
principal axis after refracting through the lens (This is
the reverse of rule 1)

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
convex lenses

The intersection of any two rays formed from rule

1, 2 and 3 is where the image is.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
concave lenses
Ray 1:
Light rays that are parallel to the principal axis will
appear to come from the opposite focal point after
refracting through the lens

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
concave lenses
Ray 2:
Light rays that pass through the optical center will
continue in a straight line without refraction.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
concave lenses
Ray 3:
Light rays that are directed at the opposite focal point
will become parallel to the principal axis after refraction.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7

Important rays for drawing ray diagrams for
concave lenses
The intersection of any two rays formed from rule
1, 2 and 3 is where the image is.

F F

Science 10 l Quarter 2 Module 7