Derivation Of Lens Maker Formula

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Nov 11, 2024 11:42 AM IST

The refractive index and curvatures of lens surfaces relate the focal length with Lens Maker's formula. Its significance in designing lenses that achieve certain focal lengths is important to the optics industry. It is based on the ideas behind refraction at spherical surfaces and the geometry of thin lenses. The assumption is that they are all made from one type of material which has a different refractive index than air (the most common) or water (less frequently). This equation applies both convex and concave lenses helping understand how the curvature of these two shapes with several materials will affect image making.

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This Story also Contains

Lens Maker Formula
What is a Thin Lens?
What is Focal length?
Derivation of Lens Maker’s Formula
Image Formation With a Thin Lens: Characteristics
Limitations of the Lens Maker’s Formula

Derivation Of Lens Maker Formula

Lens Maker Formula

For various optical equipment, lenses of varying focal lengths are utilized. The focal length of a lens is determined by the refractive index of the lens's material and the curvature radii of the two surfaces. The lens maker formula is derived here to help applicants better comprehend the subject. The lens maker formula is often used by lens manufacturers to create lenses with the appropriate focal length.

For spherical lenses, the lens equation or lens formula is an equation that links the focal length, image distance, and object distance.
Lens Formula $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u}$ is how it's written. where. $v$ is the image's distance from the lens, $u$ is the object distance and $f$ is the focal length.

If the relationship between a lens' focal length, the refractive index of its material, and the radii of curvature of its two surfaces is known as the lens maker's formula. Lens manufacturers utilize it to build lenses with a specific power from glass with a specific refractive index.

$\frac{1}{f} = (n - 1) (\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}})$

What is a Thin Lens?

A thin lens is defined as one whose thickness is insignificant in comparison to its curvature radii. The thickness (t) is significantly lower than the two curvature radiii $R_{1}$ and $R_{2}$
The focal length, image distance, and object distance are all connected in the lens formula for concave and convex lenses. The formula $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u}$ can be used to establish this link.
The focal length of the lens is $f$ , and the distance of the generated image from the lens' optical centre is $v$ in this equation. Finally, $u$ is the distance between an item and the optical centre of this lens. For convex lenses, this is the lens equation.

Also, read

There are two types of thin lenses

To create a thin lens formula, you must first understand the difference between converging and diverging lenses.

Converging lenses allow light rays that are parallel to the optic axis to pass through and converge at a common point behind them. The focal point (f) or focus is the name given to this point.
Diverging - These lenses have the opposite purpose as converging lenses. Light rays parallel to the optic axis travel through and diverge here. It creates an optical illusion by giving the impression that the lights are coming from the same source (f) in front of the lens.

What is Focal length?

The focal length of an optical system is the inverse of the system's optical power; it measures how strongly the system converges or diverges light. A system with a positive focal length converges light, while one with a negative focal length diverges light.

What is the Formula of the Focal Lens?

The formula $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u}$ gives the focal length of a double convex lens, where $u$ is the distance between the object and the lens and $v$ is the distance between the image and the lens.

OR,

$F = - R / 2$
Where,
$F$ is the focal length, and
$R$ is the radius of curvature of the lens

Derivation of Lens Maker’s Formula

Related Topics,

The lens maker formula is derived using the assumptions listed below

Consider the thin lens in the picture above, which has two refracting surfaces with curvature radii R₁ and R₂, respectively. Assume that the surrounding medium and the lens material have refractive indices of n₁ and n₂, respectively. The whole derivation of the lens maker formula is provided further below. We can say that, using the formula for refraction at a single spherical surface,

For the first surface,
$\frac{n_{2}}{v_{1}} - \frac{r_{1}}{u} = \frac{n_{2} - r_{1}}{R_{1}} \dots$
For the second surface,

$\frac{n_{1}}{v} - \frac{n_{2}}{v_{1}} = \frac{n_{1} - n_{2}}{R_{2}} \dots$
Now adding equation (1) and (2),

$n 1 / v - n 1 / u = (n_{2} - n_{1}) [1 / R_{1} - 1 / R_{2}]$

on simplifying we get,

$1 / v - 1 / u = (n_{2} / n_{1} - 1) [1 / R_{1} - 1 / R_{2}]$
When $u = \infty$ and $v = f$

$\frac{1}{f} = (\frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}} - 1) [\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}}]$

But also,
$\frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$
Therefore, we can say that,

$\frac{1}{f} = (μ - 1) (\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}})$
Where $μ$ is the material's refractive index.

Where μ is the material's refractive index.

This is the derivation of the lens maker formula. Examine the constraints of the lens maker's formula to have a better understanding of the lens maker's formula derivation.

Image Formation With a Thin Lens: Characteristics

It's not enough to know the thin lens formula for convex lenses. The characteristics of a ray of light going through converging and diverging lenses must be understood.

On the opposite side, parallel rays going through converging lenses will intersect at point f.

Parallel rays seem to emerge from point f in front of diverging lenses.

The direction of light rays travelling through the centre of converging or diverging lenses does not change.

Light rays that enter a converging lens through its focal point always exit parallel to the lens's axis.

On the other side of a diverging lens, a light ray going towards the focal point will also emerge parallel to its axis.

A concave or divergent lens has a negative focal length. When the picture is generated on the side where the object is positioned, the image distance is also negative. The image is virtual in this case. A converging or convex lens, on the other hand, has a positive focal length.

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Limitations of the Lens Maker’s Formula

The lens should not be thick so that the space between the 2 refracting surfaces can be small.
The medium used on both sides of the lens should always be the same.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How is the Lens Maker's Formula derived?

The formula is derived from the refraction of light at the two spherical surfaces of the lens. By applying the refraction equations at each surface and combining them, the formula $\frac{1}{f} = (n - 1) (\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}})$ is obtained, which relates the lens's focal length to its curvature and refractive index.

2. When is a Concave Lens' Image Virtual?

Only when object along with image are on same side of lens is the picture generated by a concave lens virtual.

3. When Do Convex Lenses Act Like Combined Lenses?

The combined lens works as a convex lens if focal length of second lens is greater than focal length of first lens.

4. What is the answer to the lens formula ?

The lens formula is relationship between object's distance u, image's distance v, as well as lens's focal length f. With the right sign conventions, this law can be applied to both concave and convex lenses.

5. Concave lenses come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Concave lenses can be found in a variety of real-world applications.

Telescopes and binoculars

Nearsightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses.

Cameras.

Flashlights.

6. What is the Lens Maker's Formula?

The Lens Maker's Formula calculates the focal length of a lens based on its curvature and the refractive index of its material. It is expressed as $\frac{1}{f} = (n -$ 1) $(\frac{1}{R_{1}} - \frac{1}{R_{2}})$ , where $f$ is the focal length, $n$ is the refractive index of the lens material, and $R_{1}$ and $R_{2}$ are the radii of curvature of the lens surfaces.