Refraction of Light

Happens in Transparent medium when a light travels from one medium to

another, refraction takes place.

A ray of light bends as it moves from one medium to another Refraction is

due to change in the speed of light as it enters from one transparent
medium to another.
Speed of light decreases as the beam of light travel from rarer medium to
the denser medium.

Normal Normal

Incident ray Rarer medium Incident ray Denser medium

Denser medium Rarer medium

Reflected ray

Reflected ray

When ray travels from rarer to denser medium it When ray travels from denser to rarer medium it
bends towards the normal after refraction bends away from normal after refraction
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 Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab
1.When a incident ray of light AO A Normal
passes from a rarer medium (air) to a
denser medium (glass) at point. O on 𝑖1
Incident ray Rarer medium(air)
interface KL, it will bends towards the K L
O
normal.
2.At point , on interface NM the light 𝑟1
ray entered from denser Denser medium(glass)
medium(glass) to rarer medium (air) Refracted ray
𝑖2
here the light ray will bend away from
1
normal O is a refracted ray B is an N 𝑂 M
emergent ray. Normal e Rarer medium(air)
3.If the incident ray is extended to C, d
we will observe that emergent ray B Emergent ray C
parallel to incident ray. The ray will B d-Lateral displacement
slightly displaced laterally after Note : When a ray of light is incident normally to the interface
of two media it will go straight, without any deviation.
refraction. SREE ACADEMY
 Laws of Refraction of Light

1.The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the interface of two transparent
media at the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.

2.The ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a constant
i.e.

= constant(n)

For given colour and pair of media, this

law is also known as Snell’s Law

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Constant n is the refractive index for a given pair of medium. It is the refractive index of the
second medium with respect to first medium.
sin 𝑖 𝑛2
= =𝑛21
sin 𝑟 𝑛1
Where 2 is for second medium and 1 is for first medium

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 Refractive Index
It is the ratio of speed of light in one medium to the speed of light in another medium

The refractive index of glass with respect to air is given by ratio of speed of light in air to the
speed of light in glass.
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑐
𝑛𝑔𝑎 = =
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑣

c = Speed of light in vacuum or air = 3 × m/s

speed of light in air is marginally less, compared to that in vacuum.

Refractive index of air with respect to glass is given by

𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑣
𝑛𝑎𝑔 = =
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑐
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 1.What is refraction of light ?
A: The bending of light when it passes obliquely from one medium to light.

2.What is the cause of refraction of light ?

A:The refraction of light is due to the fact that speed of light is different in different media.
3.Define refractive index and express it mathematically. (CBSE 2011, 2012)
Or
Define absolute refractive index of a medium. (CBSE 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)
A:Refractive index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (c) to the speed of light in
medium (v). That is, n = c/v .
4.Write Snell’s law. (CBSE 2011)

where i = incident angle, r = refracted angle and n21 = constant and is

the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1.
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5.If refractive index of water for light going from air to water is 1.33, what will be the refractive index of air
for light going from water to air ? (CBSE 2011)

6.Why does a ray of light bend when it travels from one medium into another ? [CBSE (Delhi)
A:This is because speed of light changes when light goes from one medium to another medium.

7.Why is the absolute refractive index of a medium always greater than one ? (CBSE 2011, 2016)
A:Absolute refractive index, n = c/v . Since c > v, therefore, n > 1.
8.The refractive index of glass is 1.5. What is the meaning of this statement in relation to speed of light ?
[CBSE (Delhi) 2008]

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9.A ray of light PQ is incident on a glass slab as shown. Write the values of angle of incidence and
angle of refraction for this ray of light.
Or
A ray of light is incident normally to the surface of a glass slab placed in air. Find the angle of incident
and angle of refraction in this case. (CBSE 2011, 2013)

10.What happens when a ray of light strikes the surface of separation between the two media at right
angle ? (CBSE 2011)
A:There is no refraction of light and the ray of light continues to travel along the same path.
11.What is the lateral displacement of the ray of light ?
Answer:
Lateral displacement of the ray of light = 2 mm. on Refraction by spherical lens
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12.State laws of refraction of light. [CBSE (Foreign) 2004, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015]
Refraction of light follows the following two laws :
1.The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the surface separating the two media all lie in
the same plane.
2.The ratio of the sine of the incident angle (∠i) to the sine of the refracted angle (∠r) is constant
for a pair of two media.

This constant is known as the refractive index of the medium in which refracted ray travels with respect
to the medium in which incident ray travels. Refractive index is denoted by n.
3.Refractive index of second medium with respect to the first medium is denoted by
Thus, eqn. (1) can be written as

This law is also known as Snell’s law as it was stated by Prof. Willebrord Snell (Dutch mathematician
and astronomer).

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13.Prove that if a ray of light enters a rectangular glass slab obliquely and emerges from the opposite
face of the glass slab, the emergent ray will be parallel to the incident ray. [CBSE (Foreign) 2004]
Or
(a) With the help of a diagram, show that when light falls obliquely on a side of a rectangular glass
slab, the emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray. (CBSE 2013)
(b) Show the lateral displacement of the ray on the diagram. (CBSE 2008)

A . Perform an experiment to demonstrate that light bends from its path, when it falls obliquely on the
surface of a glass slab. Also show that angle of incidence is about equal to the emergent angle.
1.Take a glass slab and place it on a white sheet of paper fixed on a drawing board.
2.Mark the boundary ABCD of the glass slab.
3.Fix two pins P1 and P2, vertically on the drawing board such that line joining the pins is inclined to the
edge AB of the glass slab.

4.Now, look through the glass slab from opposite side so that the images of pins P1 and P2 are seen
exactly in line. Fix two pins P3 and P4, vertically on the drawing board such that pins P3, P4 and image of
P1 and P2 are exactly in one line.
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Remove the glass slab and all pins. Join the points P1 and P2 with a line
and extend this line to touch the edge AB at P. Similarly join the points
P3 and P4 with a line and extend the line to touch the edge DC at Q.
Join points P and Q with a straight line.
Draw normal NN’ at P on the edge AB and a normal N1N1‘ at Q on the
edge DC.
Measure ∠P2 PN and ∠P3 QN1‘ using a protractor or dee.
This experiment shows that when light falls obliquely on a glass slab, it
bends along PQ from its original path along PL.
Also ∠P2PN ≈ ∠P3QN1‘. That is, angle of incidence is about equal to
the emergent angle. Note : Distance between pins P and P , and between P and P must be large.
1 2 3 4

14.For the same angle of incidence 45°, the angle of refraction in two transparent media : I and II is 20°
and 30° respectively. Out of I and II, which medium is optically denser and why ? (CBSE 2011)

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 Spherical Lens
A transparent material bound by two surfaces, of which one or both surfaces are spherical,
forms a lens.
Convex lens
1.A lens bounded by two spherical
surfaces, curved outwards is
known as double convex lens (or
simply convex lens)
2.It is also known as converging lens
because it converges the light.
Concave lens
1.A lens bounded by two
spherical surfaces, curved
inwards is known as double
concave lens (or simply concave
lens)
2.It is also known as diverging lens
because it diverges the light.
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 Few Basic Terms Related to Spherical Lens
1. Centre of curvature : A lens, either a convex lens or a concave lens is combination of two
spherical surfaces. Each of these surfaces form a part of sphere. The centre of these two
spheres are called centre of curvature represented by C1 and C2.

𝑐1 o 𝑐2 𝑐1 o 𝑐2

Convex lens Concave lens

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2. Principal axis :Imaginary straight line passing through the two centres of curvature

Principal axis

𝑐1 o 𝑐2 𝑐1 o 𝑐2

Convex lens Concave lens

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3. Optical Centre : The central point of lens is its optical centre (O). A ray of light, when
passes through 'O' it remains undeviated i.e. it goes straight.

𝑐1 o 𝑐2 𝑐1 o 𝑐2

Optical centre
Convex lens Concave lens

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4. Aperture : The effective diameter of the circular outline of a spherical lens.

Aperture

𝑐1 o 𝑐2 𝑐1 o 𝑐2

Convex lens Concave lens

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Focus of lens : The principal focus of a lens is defined as the point through which a parallel
light after refraction passes through in the case of a convex lens and appears to pass
through in the case of a concave lens.

𝑐1 𝐹 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2 𝑐1 𝐹 1 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2
1

Convex lens Concave lens

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 Rules to Draw Ray Diagram
1.A ray parallel to principal axis after refraction passes through Focus(F)

𝑐1 𝐹 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2 𝑐1 𝐹 1 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2
1

Convex lens Concave lens

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2. A ray passes through F, after refraction will emerge parallel to principal axis

𝐹1 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2 𝑐1 𝐹 1 o 𝐹 2 𝑐2

Convex lens Concave lens

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3.A ray passes through optical centre after refractions passes without any deviation

𝑐1 o 𝑐2 𝑐1 o 𝑐2

Convex lens Concave lens

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Image formation by a convex lens for various position of object
1.Position of object : At Infinity

𝑐 1𝐹 o 𝐹 2𝑐 2
1

Position of image : At Focus Nature : Real and inverted

Size : Diminished (or) point size

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 2.Position of object : Beyond 2

𝑐1 𝐹1 o 𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : Between

Nature : Real and inverted

Size : Small size
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 3.Position of object : At

𝑐2
𝑐1 𝐹1 o 𝐹2

𝒄
Position of image : 𝟐

Nature : Real and inverted

Size : Same size

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 4.Position of object : At and

𝑐1 𝐹1 o
𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : beyond

Nature : Real and inverted

Size : Enlarged

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 5.Position of object : At

𝑐1 𝐹1 o
𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : Infinity

Nature : Real and inverted

Size : Highly Enlarged

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 6.Position of object : At and optical center

𝑐1 𝐹1 o
𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : same side of object

Nature : Virtual and erect

Size : Highly Enlarged
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Image Formation by Concave Lens
1.Position of object : At Infinity

𝑐1 𝐹1 o 𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : 𝑭
𝟏
Nature : Virtual and erect
Size : Highly diminished
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2.Position of object : Between Infinity and optical center

𝑐1 𝐹1 o 𝐹2 𝑐2

Position of image : Between & o

Nature : Virtual and erect
Size : Very small
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 Sign Convention for Refraction by Spherical lens
1. The object is always placed to the left side of lens .
2. All distance should be measured from optical centre; parallel to principal axis.
3. Take ‘O' as origin. Distances measured

u u

Convex mirror
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 1.Right of the optical center (+x-Axis) are taken positive
2.Left of the optical center (–x-Axis) are taken negative
3.Perpendicular to and above principal axis (+y-Axis) are taken positive
4.Perpendicular to and below principal axis (–y-Axis) are taken negative

+y-Axis +y-Axis
-x Axis
+x Axis -x Axis +x Axis

-y-Axis -y-Axis

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 Lens Formula
1 1 1
− =
𝑣 𝑢 𝑓

F = R/2

u - distance of object from optical center v - distance of image from optical center
f - distance between F and optical center
R - distance between centre of curvature and optical center.
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 Magnification
It is expressed as the ratio of the height of the image to height of the object.

- height of image from principle axis

- height of object from principle axis

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If magnification m>1 image is magnified
m<1 image is diminished
m=1 image is same size
MIRROR f u v
CONCAVE Negative(real) Negative(real) Negative(virtual)

CONVEX Positive Negative Positive(real)

Negative(virtual)

- is always Positive
- is Positive for Virtual, Negative for Real

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 Power of Lens
The degree of convergence or divergence of light ray achieved by a lensis known as power of a lens.
It is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length Represented by P.
If F is given in meter, then
P
If F is given in cm , then P

SI unit of power of a lens is “diopter” denoted by ‘D’

I diopter or ID It is the power of lens whose focal length is I m
1D

Power of convave lens or diverging lens is always negative

If any optical instrument has many lens, then net power will be
P=
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 1.What do you understand by optical centre of a lens ?
A:A point in a lens through which rays of light pass without deviation in their original path.
2.Define focal length of a lens. [CBSE (All India) 2005]
A.The distance between the optical centre and principal focus of a lens is called the focal length of the
lens.
3.Write lens formula. Or Write relation between u, v and for a lens. (CBSE 2014, 2016)
1 1 1
− =
𝑣 𝑢 𝑓
4.State the relation between the height of an object (h), height of image (h), object distance (u) and
image distance (v) in case of a lens. (CBSE 2011)

5.Incident ray AB falls on a lens. The refracted ray is BC as shown in figure. Name the lens.
Answer:
Since the ray AB converges along BC after passing
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6.Incident ray AB falls on a lens. The refracted ray BC is shown in figure. Name the lens.
Answer:
Since the ray AB diverges along BC after passing through the lens,
so the lens is diverging or concave lens.

7.If on applying cartesian sign conventions for spherical lenses, the image distance obtained is
negative, state the significance of the negative sign. (CBSE 2011)
A:Negative sign with image distance signifies that image is formed on the same side in which the
object lies or image is formed in front of the lens
8.If on applying cartesian sign conventions for spherical lenses, the image distance obtained is
negative, state the significance of the negative sign. (CBSE 2011)
A:Negative sign with image distance signifies that image is formed on the same side in which the
object lies or image is formed in front of the lens.
9.Define power of a lens and write its SI unit. [CBSE Saniple Paper 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016)]
APower of a lens is its ability to converge or diverge the rays of light falling on it. Power of a lens is
equal to reciprocal of the focal length of the lens.
SI unit of power is dioptre (D).
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10.In what SI unit is the power of lenses stated ? [CBSE (Foreign ) 2005)]
Answer: Dioptre (D).
11.A convex lens forms a virtual and magnified image. What should he the position of the object on
the principal axis ?
A:Between focus and the optical centre of the lens
12.State the relation between the focal length (f) and power of a lens.
Or
How are power and focal length of a lens related ? [NCERT Question Bank; CBSE 2016]

13.A lens has -4D power. Is the lens concave or convex ?

A :Lens is concave.
14.A convex lens is placed in contact with a concave lens so that the power of the combination is
positive. Name the type of the lens, this combination of lenses behaves.
A : Power of a convex lens is positive and the power of a concave lens is negative. Since the power of
combination of lenses is positive, so the combination of lenses behaves as a convex lens.
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15.What is the difference between a convex lens (converging lens) and a concave lens (diverging
lens) ?(CBSE 2012)
Convex lens Concave lens

1. It is thick in the middle and thin at edges. 1. It is thin in middle and thick at edges.

2. When placed close to eye, it forms magnified

2. It forms diminished image of an object. If you
image of an object. For example, if you place it
place it close to your book, the words will appear
close to your book, the words will appear large in
small in size.
size.

16.Study the ray diagram given below and answer the following questions :
(i)State the type of lens used in the figure.
(ii) List two properties of the image formed.
(iii) In which position of the object will the
magnification be – 1 ? (Sample Paper 2012-13)
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 (i) Lens is convex lens.
(ii) Image formed is real, inverted and enlarged.

If object is placed at 2F1 Size of image = Size of object, then in this case, m = – 1.
17.Draw ray-diagrams to describe the nature, position and relative size of the image formed
(i) by a convex lens for the object when it is placed at 2F1
(ii) by a concave mirror for the object when it is placed between pole P and focus F.

18.Draw ray diagrams to describe the nature, position and’relative size of the image formed by a convex
lens for the object
(i) When the object is placed at F1 and
(ii) When the object is placed between F1 and optical centre of the lens. (CBSE 2011, 2016)
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(i) (ii)

19.Draw ray diagrams to describe the nature, position and relative size of the image formed by a
concave lens for the object
(i) When the object is placed at infinity and
(ii) When the object is placed to between infinity and optical centre of the lens. (CBSE 2011,12
(i) (ii)

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