5.4 - Image Formation by Convex Lens
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Position of Object - At Infinity
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Today, let's explore how a convex lens forms images. First, what happens when the object is placed at a great distance or at infinity?
Does the image remain the same regardless of the distance?
Good question! When an object is at infinity, the image is formed at the focus F2, is point-sized, real, and inverted. Remember, it's being focused down to that single point!
So, it’s kind of like a laser point? Very small?
Exactly! You could think of a laser pointer creating a small dot of light—that’s like our image at F2. Let's keep that imagery with us as we move on.
What if we moved the object a bit closer?
That transitions us to the next position. Let’s delve into what happens when the object is placed beyond 2F1.
Position of Object - Beyond 2F1
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now, let’s consider when the object is beyond 2F1. What can we expect from the image?
Is it still real and inverted?
Correct! When an object is beyond 2F1, the image is formed between F2 and 2F2. In this case, it is diminished, real, and inverted.
How about the size? Does it change a lot?
Yes! The image becomes smaller as the object moves away from the lens. It’s diminished when compared to the object size. This concept can be easily memorized with the phrase: 'Farther means smaller'.
Can you summarize the key features again?
Of course! Image is diminished, real, and inverted when the object is beyond 2F1. Great observations, everyone!
Position of Object - At 2F1
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Next, let’s discuss what occurs when the object is positioned right at 2F1.
Is it when the image is same size as the object?
Exactly! The image will be formed at 2F2, same size as the object, real, and inverted. Think of this as a perfect reflection.
So, does it follow the same path or rule as before?
Yes, it adheres to the rules of ray construction: it’s created following the same distance from the optical center to the focus. An easy way to remember: 'At 2F1, it’s equal in size'.
Fantastic! What’s next?
We will explore the case when the object lies between F1 and 2F1 next.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section explains the various positions of objects in relation to a convex lens and the characteristics of the images formed. It details how image characteristics such as size and nature (real/virtual, inverted/erect) change depending on the object's position.
Detailed
Image Formation by Convex Lens
The convex lens is a powerful optical tool used to converge light rays. The image formed by a convex lens depends on the object's position relative to the lens. In this section, we explore the various object placements and their corresponding image characteristics:
- At Infinity: The image is point-sized, real, and inverted at the principal focus (F2).
- Beyond 2F1: The image appears between F2 and 2F2, is diminished, real, and inverted.
- At 2F1: The image is at 2F2, has the same size as the object, is real, and inverted.
- Between F1 and 2F1: The image is enlarged, real, and inverted, positioned beyond 2F2.
- At F1: The image is highly enlarged, real, and inverted, appearing at infinity.
- Between O and F1: The image is enlarged, virtual, and erect, appearing on the same side as the object.
Understanding these variations aids in practical applications such as magnifying systems and optical devices.
Youtube Videos
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Image Formation at Different Object Positions
Chapter 1 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
| Position of Object | Position of Image | Size | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| At infinity | At F2 | Point-sized | Real, inverted |
| Beyond 2F1 | Between F2 and 2F2 | Diminished | Real, inverted |
| At 2F1 | At 2F2 | Same size | Real, inverted |
| Between F1 and 2F1 | Beyond 2F2 | Enlarged | Real, inverted |
| At F1 | At infinity | Highly enlarged | Real, inverted |
| Between O and F1 | On the same side | Enlarged | Virtual, erect |
Detailed Explanation
This chunk presents various scenarios of how a convex lens forms images based on the position of the object in relation to the lens. The key points include:
- At Infinity: When the object is very far away, the image forms at the focal point (F2) and is point-sized, real, and inverted.
- Beyond 2F1: The image forms between F2 and 2F2, is diminished compared to the object, real, and inverted.
- At 2F1: Here, the image is formed exactly at 2F2, maintaining the same size as the object, and is still real and inverted.
- Between F1 and 2F1: The image becomes enlarged, appears beyond 2F2, and remains real and inverted.
- At F1: The image appears at infinity, and is significantly larger than the object—again, it is real and inverted.
- Between O and F1: In this position, the image formed is enlarged and appears upright (erect), and is virtual as it's on the same side as the object.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a convex lens as a magnifying glass. If you hold a magnifying glass very close to a small object like an ant (positioned between O and F1), you can see a large, upright image of the ant through the lens. If you move the magnifying glass away until you hold it far (positioned at infinity), the details of the object become less defined, and the image becomes smaller or point-sized.
Characteristics of Images Formed
Chapter 2 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Size and Nature of Images:
- Point-sized, diminishes, or enlarges based on the object's position.
- Images can be real and inverted, or virtual and erect depending on the position of the object.
Detailed Explanation
The characteristics of images formed by a convex lens depend heavily on the object’s position:
- Size: The images can vary from point-sized to highly enlarged. The farther the object is, the smaller the image is up to a point, after which the size toggles back to enlarging with closer object placements.
- Nature: Most images are real and inverted, meaning they appear upside down, except when the object is placed between O and F1, where the image formed is virtual and erect (upright). Real images can be projected onto a screen, while virtual images cannot.
Examples & Analogies
Consider how a projector works. When you shine an image onto a screen (like a movie projector), it projects a real and inverted image. However, putting the same image into a handheld magnifying glass holds it upright and makes it appear larger, similar to how the lens behaves when the object is between O and F1.
Key Concepts
-
Image at Infinity: Point-sized, real, inverted at F2.
-
Image Beyond 2F1: Diminished, real, inverted between F2 and 2F2.
-
Image at 2F1: Same size, real, inverted at 2F2.
-
Image Between F1 and 2F1: Enlarged, real, inverted beyond 2F2.
-
Image at F1: Highly enlarged, real, inverted at infinity.
-
Image Between O and F1: Enlarged, virtual, erect on the same side.
Examples & Applications
When an object is placed at 30 cm from a convex lens with a focal length of 12 cm, the image is formed 20 cm away, real and inverted.
If an object is 10 cm from a convex lens with a focal length of 15 cm, the image formed is virtual and erect.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Image at infinity, F2 it does meet, / Real and inverted, it's a tiny feat.
Stories
Imagine a lighthouse beam shining far at sea. When the lighthouse is bright (object at infinity), the light concentrates at a point (F2) to guide sailors safely home.
Memory Tools
Remember: GIFT—G for Great distance (infinity), I for Inverted, F for Focused, T for Tiny.
Acronyms
SMART
Same size at 2F1
Magnified if within F1 to 2F1
real
varying
across all positions
Tiny at F2.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Convex Lens
A lens that is thicker in the middle than at the edges, converging parallel rays to a focal point.
- Focal Length
The distance from the optical center to the principal focus.
- Principal Focus
The point on the principal axis where light rays converge (for convex lenses) or appear to diverge (for concave lenses).
- Real Image
An image that can be projected on a screen, formed on the opposite side of the lens from the object.
- Virtual Image
An image that cannot be projected on a screen, formed on the same side of the lens as the object.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.