3.3.1

Thin Converging Lenses 1

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Thin Converging Lenses

A thin converging lens (curved piece of glass) causes parallel rays of light that pass through it to converge (come together).

Refraction

Refraction

  • When a beam of light strikes a thin converging lens, the light is refracted twice:
    • Once towards the normal (90 degrees to the lens) as the light enters the lens;
    • And once away from the normal (90 degrees to the lens) as the light leaves the lens.
  • Note: It is assumed that the lens is very thin to only consider one reflection at the optical axis.
    • When you see ray diagrams the lens will be represented by a single line.
Optical axis

Optical axis

  • The optical axis is the line perpendicular to the principal axis and passing through the optical centre (lens’ centre).
    • It is used to show the position of the lens.
Principal focus

Principal focus

  • Light rays that are parallel to the optical axis pass through the lens and converge (come together) at the principal focus.
  • There is one principal focus on each side of the lens as light can pass through the lens in either direction.
Focal length

Focal length

  • The focal length is the distance from the centre of the lens to the principal focus.
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Motion, Forces & Energy

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Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2

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1.4

Density

1.5

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1.6

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1.7

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2

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3

Waves

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4.1

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4.5

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4.6

Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7

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4.13

Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14

Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15

Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16

Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5

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6

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