PHYSICS
CLASS-XII
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
CONTENTS
KEY CONCEPT 2-5
EXERCISE 5-8
ANSWER KEY 8
KEY CONCEPT
Human Eye, Image Formation and Accommodation :
Power of Accommodation of Eye : On account of elasticity of muscles, the eye lens has the ability of
change its focal length, which enables us to seen nearby and distant objects. The power of eye lens is called
power of accommodation. The maximum distance at which an object can be seen distinctly by the eye is
infinity. When the object is at infinity (or very far) from the eye, the parallel rays emitting from it and after
refraction through eye lens are focussed on the retina and the object is clearly seen. In this state there is no
tension in muscles, i.e., the eye is in relaxed state and the focal length of eye-lens is the maximum. When
the object is near the eye-lens, the muscles contract to increase the curvature (or decrease the radius of
curvature) of the refracting surfaces of the lens. This causes decrease in focal length of the lens and again a
clear image is formed on the retina. Thus eye can clearly see the nearby and distant objects. When the
object is brought continuously from infinity towards the eye, then in order to form its image on retina the
pressure on muscles is increased to decrease the focal length of the eye lens. But there is a limit of
elasticity of muscles or limit of exerting pressure on muscles. Therefore a stage comes when the image of
the object is not formed on retina. The minimum distance upto which an eye can see clearly by the maximum
possible contractions of ciliary muscles is called the least distance of distinct vision. For normal eye this
distance is 25 cm and is denoted by D. For normal eye the near point D is 25 cm and far point is inifinity.
Eye lens Eye lens
Retina Retina
Parallel O I
rays
Object
at infinity D = 25 cm
Defects of Eye and their Correction :
Dueto to growing age or otherwise, eye may suffer the following defects :
(i) Myopia or shortsightedness : Myopia is the defect of eye in which a person can see only nearby objects,
but fails to see the far away objects distinctly. This defect is due to
Corrective
lens
Eye lens
Parallel rays F Retina
from object
I I
Eye
lens
(a) Image formation
by myopic eye (b) Corrected myopia
(a) decrease in focal length of the eye lens
(b) spreading of the eye-sphere
Due to these reasons the image is formed in front of the retina.
Remedy : To eliminate this defect a concave lens of suitable focal length is used. The equivalent focal length
of concave lens and eye lens should be increased to a value such that the distinct image of far away objects
is formed at the retina. If a myopic eye has a far point at F, then the parallel rays from infinity will be incident
on concave lens and form its vertical image at F. This image will act as an object for eye lens and the final
image (I) will be formed at the retina [Fib (b)]. Clearly, for elimination of myopia the focal length of corrective
concave lens will be equal to the distance of far point of myopic eye from the eye lens.
[2]
(ii) Farsightedness or Hypermetropia : Hypermetropia is the defect of eye in which a person can see only
farther objects but fails to see nearer objects distinctly. This defect is due to
(a) Increase in focal length of eye lens.
(b) Contraction of eye-sphere.
Due to these reasons the image of a nearby object is formed behind the retina.
Remedy : The near point of hypermetropic eye is displaced from D = 25 cm to some distant point.
To eliminate this defect a convex lens of suitable focal length is used. The equivalent focal length of corrective
convex lens and eye lens should be decreased to a value such that the distinct image of nearby objects is
formed at the retina.
Suppose the near point of a normal eye is at N and that of a hypermetropic eye is at O. The correctiveconvex
lens forms the image of near point (N) at point O, then this image will act as the object for eye lens and the
final image (I) will be formed at the retina. Therefore the corrective lens enables to form the distinct image of
near point (N) at retina.
Retina
Normal near
Normal point
near point
N I O I
N
D=25cm Near point of
defective eye Corrective
convex lens
(a) Image formation
by hypermetropic eye (b) Corrected hypermetropia
(iii) Presbyopia : In growing age, the eye lens loses its flexibility of changing the focal length. Consequently, the
near point of an eye is displaced farther and far point of the eye is displaced nearer, so that the eye is unable
to see the nearby as well as far away objects. This defect of eye is called presbyopia.
(iv) Astigmatism : The defect of eye in which horizontal and vertical objects at the same distance are not
focused at the retina clearly is called astigmatism. This arises when the cornea is not spherical in shape.
For example cornea could have a larger curvature in vertical plane than in horizontal plane.
If astigmated eye sees a wire mesh or a shirt having horizontal and vertical lines, then vertical and horizontal
lines are not equally well focused ; if vertical lines are well focused, the horizontal lines may appear distorted
or curved and vice versa. This defect may occur along with the myopia or hypermetropia.
Remedy : The astigmation is corrected by using a cylindrical lens having a cylindrical surface of a desired
radius of curvature with an appropriately directed axis.
Magnifying Power of Optical Instruments :
The size of an object depends on the angle subtended by the object on eye. This angle is called visual angle.
Greater the visual angle, greater the size of object. Stars are bigger than sun; but appear smaller because
stars are much farther away than sun and they subtend smaller angles on eye. The angle subtended on eye
may be increased by using telescopes and microscopes. The telescopes and microscopes form the image
of an object. The image subtends larger angle on eye; hence the object appears big. The magnification
produced by optical instrument (telescope/microscope) is defined as the ratio of angle () subtended by
image on eye and the angle () subtended by object on eye.
i.e. angular magnification M =
[3]
Optical Instruments (Microscopes and Telescopes) :
(i) Simple Microscope : It consists of a convex lens of small focal length f.
If = angle subtended by an image on eye
= angle subtended by an object on eye, when object is at a distance of distinct vision (D) Magnifying
D
power, M = = 1 . If the final image is at , = then M = D .
f f
D
If the final image is at a distance of distinct vision, = D, M = 1 +
.
f
(ii) Compound Microscope : A compound microscope essentially consists of two co-axial convex lenses of
small focal lengths. The lens facing the object is called an objective lens while that towards eye is called the
eye lens. (eyepiece).
D
Magnifying power of microscope, M = (=mO × me) = u 1 e
fe
O e
(o symbolises for objective and e for eye lens)
Eyepiece
ue e ue
D
Objective L1
B
Eye
A Fo
A Fe' A Fe
E
O
B
B e
Separation between lenses, d = 0 + ue
Special cases : (i) When final image is formed at a distance of distinct vision, e = D
o D
M=– 1 and d = u0 + ue
uo fe
The distance between second focal point of objective and first focal point of eye lens is called the tube
0 L L D
length denoted by L, then = ; So, M=– 1
u0 f0 f0 fe
(ii) When final image is formed at infinity, e = , then
0 D L D
M=– × f =– . and d = 0 + f e
u0 e f0 fe
[4]
(iii) Astronomical Telescope (Refracting Telescope) : It is used to see magnified images of distance objects.
An astronomical telescope essenteally consists of two co-axial convex lenses. The lens facing the object
has a large focal length and a large aperture and is called objective, while the lens towards eye has a scmall
focal length and small aperture and is called eye lens.
[f 0 = focal length of objective, f e = focal length of eye lens]
B Distant object fo u2
Eyepiece
Eye
Fo
A Fe A
A C1 C Fe
2
B
L2
e
B
Themagnifying power of telescope is
Angle subtended by final image at eye fo f
M = = = (m × m ) = – m e
Angle subtended by an object on eye o e fe e
and Length of telescope L = fo + ue
where ue = distance of final image from eye lens
ue = distance of real image A B from eye lens
Special case (i) When final image is formed at a distance of distinct vision, then e = D
fo fe
M = f 1 and L = f o + ue
e D
(ii) When final image is formed at infinity, then e =
fo
M = – and L = f o + f e
fe
Reflecting Telescope : In the telescope, a concave mirror is used as an objective in place of a convex
lens. It is free from chromatic aberration and it has larger resolving power than refracting telescope.
EXERCISE
1. A distant object is viewed with a relaxed eye with the help of a small Galilean telescope having an objective
of focal length 15 cm and an eye piece of focal length 3 cm
(A) The distance between the objective and the eyepiece lens is 12 cm.
(B) The angular magnification of telescope is 5
(C) Image of the object is erect
(D) The distance between objective and eye piece lens is 18 cm
2. A microscope consists of an objective with a focal length 2 mm and an eye piece with a focal length 40 mm.
The distance between the foci (which are between the lenses) of objective and eyepiece is18 cm. The total
magnification of the microscope is (Consider normal adjustment and take D = 25 cm)
(A) 562.5 (B) 625 (C) 265 (D) 62.5
[5]
3. A distant object is viewed with a relaxed eye with the help of a small Galilean telescope having an objective
of focal length 12 cm and an eyepiece of focal length –3 cm.
(A) The distance between objective and eyepiece lens is 9 cm.
(B) The distance between objective and eyepiece lens is 15 cm.
(C) The image of the object is inverted
(D) The angular magnification of the object is +4.
4. A Galileo telescope has an objective of focal length 100 cm and magnifying power 50. The distance between
the two lenses in normal adjustment will be
(A) 150 cm (B) 100 cm (C) 98 cm (D) 200 cm
5. Which of the following statement(s) about a simple telescope (astronomical) is/are true
(A) the objective lens forms a real image.
(B) The eyepiece acts as a magnifying glass
(C) the focal length of the objective lens is short
(D) the final image is inverted
6. The separation between the objective and the eye piece of a compound microscope can be adjusted
between 9.8 cm to 11.8 cm. Focal length of the objective and the eyepiece are 1.0 cm and 6 cm respectively.
Eyepiece is movable and image is always needed at 24 cm from the eye. D = 24 cm. Find the minimum and
maximum magnification which can be produced by the microscope.
(A) the minimum magnification is 20 and corresponds to the separation 9.8 cm between lenses.
(B) the minimum magnification is 20 and corresponds to the separation 11.8 cm between lenses.
(C) the maximum magnification is 30 and corresponds to the separation 9.8 cm between lenses.
(D) the maximum magnification is 30 and corresponds to the separation 11.8 cm between lenses.
7. An astronomical telescope has an eyepiece of focal-length 5 cm. If the angular magnification in normal
adjustment is 10, the distance between the objective and eyepiece in cm is
(A) 110 (B) 55 (C) 50 (D) 45
8. The magnifying power of a telescope can be increased
(A) by increasing focal lengths of both lenses (B) by fitting eyepiece of high power
(C) by fitting eyepiece of low power (D) by increasing the distance of object
9. A person with a defective sight is using a lens having a power of +2D. The lens he is using is
(A) concave lens with f = 0.5 m (B) convex lens with f = 2.0 m
(C) concave lens with f = 0.2 m (D) convex lens with f = 0.5 m
10. A simple telescope consisting of an objective of focal length 60 cm and a single eye lens of focal length
5 cm is focussed on a distant object in such a way that parallel rays emerge from eye lens. If the object
subtends an angle of 20 at the objective, the angular width of the image is
(A) 100 (B) 240 (C) 500 (D) (1/6)0
11. In a compound microscope
(A) the object is held slightly beyond the focal point of the objective.
(B) the image formed by the objective is real.
(C) the image formed by the eye piece is virtual.
(D) all the above
12. An astronomical telescope has an angular magnification of magnitude 5 for distant objects. The separation
between the objective and the eyepiece is 36 cm. The Final image is formed at infinity. The focal length fo of
the objective and fe of the eyepiece are
(A) 45 cm and –9 cm respectively (B) 50 cm and 10 cm respectively
(C) 7.2 cm and 5 cm respectively (D) 30 cm and 6 cm respectively
[6]
13. An astronomical telescope in normal adjustment receives light from a distant source S. The tube length is
now decreased slightly
(A) A virtual image of S will be formed at a finite distance.
(B) No image will be formed
(C) A small, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, close to it.
(D) A large, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, far away from it.
14. In the previous question, if the tube length is increased slightly from its position of normal adjustment
(A) a virtual image of S will be formed at a finite distance
(B) no image will be formed
(C) a small, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, close to it
(D) a large, real image of S will be formed behind the eyepiece, far away from it.
15. In an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment, a straight black line of length L is drawn on the objective
lens. The eyepiece forms a real image of this line. The length of this image is l. The magnification of the
telescope is
L L L L 1
(A) (B) 1 (C) –1 (D)
L –1
16. An astronomical telescope and a Galilean telescope use identical objective lenses. They have the same
magnification, when both are in normal adjustment. The eyepiece of the astronomical telescope has a focal
length f.
(A) The tube lengths of the two telescope differ by f.
(B) The tube lengths of the two telescopes differ by 2f.
(C) The Galilean telescope has shorter tube length.
(D) the Galilean telescope has longer tube length.
17. A single converging lens used as a simple microscope. In the position of maximum magnification,
(A) the object is placed at the focus of the lens
(B) the object is placed between the lens and its focus
(C) the image is formed at infinity
(D) the object and the image subtend the same angle at the eye.
18. When an astronomical telescope is in normal adjustment, the magnification produced by it M. If this is now
turned around with the eyepiece facing a distant object and the eye placed close to the objective, the
magnification produced will be
1 1 1 M1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
M M1 M 1 M1
19. In a simple microscope, if the final image is located at infinity then its magnifying power is
(A) 25/F (B) 25/D (C) F/25 (D) (1 + 25/F)
20. When length of a microscope tube in normal adjustment increases, its magnifying power
(A) decreases (B) increases
(C) does not change (D) may increases or decreases
21. In a compound microscope, the intermediate image is
(A) virtual, erect and magnified (B) real, erect and magnified
(C) real, inverted and magnified (D) virtual, erect and reduced
22. In a reflecting astronomical telescope, if the objective (a spherical mirror) is replaced by a parabolic mirror
of the same focal length and aperture, then
(A) The final image will be erect (B) The larger image will be obtained
(C) The telescope will gather more light (D) Spherical aberration will be absent
[7]
23. An astronomical telescope has an angular magnification of magnitude 5 for distant objects. The separation
between the objective and the eyepiece is 36 cm and the final image is formed at infinity. The focal length
f o of the objective and fe of the eyepiece are
(A) f o = 45 cm and fe = –9 cm (B) f o = 50 cm and fe = 10 cm
(C) f o = 7.2 cm and f e = 5 cm (D) f o = 30 cm and fe = 6 cm
24. A simple telescope, consisting of an objective of focal length 60 cm and a single eye lens of focal length
5 cm, is focused on a distant object in such a way that parallel rays emerge from the eye lens. If the object
subtends an angle of 2° at the objective, the angular width of the image is
(A) 10° (B) 24° (C) 50° (D) 1/6°
25. A man wearing glasses of focal length +1 m cannot clearly see beyond 1 m
(A) if he is farsighted (B) if he is nearsighted
(C) if his vision is normal (D) in each of these cases.
26. A man is looking at a small object placed at near point. Without altering the position of his eye or the object,
he puts a simple microscope of magnifying power 5X before his eyes. The angular magnification achieved is
(A) 5 (B) 2.5 (C) 1 (D) 0.2
27. An observer looks at a distance tree of height 10 m with a telescope of magnifying power of 20. To the
observer the tree appears [IIT JEE Main - 2016]
(A) 10 times taller (B) 10 times nearer
(C) 20 times taller (D) 20 times nearer
28. The magnifying power of telescope with tube length 60 cm is 5. What is the focal length of its eye piece?
[JEE MAIN ONLINE 2020]
(A) 10 cm (B) 20 cm (C) 30 cm (D) 40 cm
29. Given below are two statements : one is labeled as Assertion A and the other is labeled as Reason R.
Assertion A : For a simple microscope, the angular size of the object equals the angular size of the image.
Reason R : Magnification is achieved as the small object can be kept much closer to the eye than 25 cm
and hence it subtends a large angle.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
(A) A is false but R is true [JEE Main Online 2021]
(B) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(C) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(D) A is true but R is false
30. In a reflecting telescope, a secondary mirror is used to : [JEE Main Online 2023]
(A) reduce the problem of mechanical support (B) remove spherical aberration
(C) make chromatic aberration zero (D) move the eyepiece outside the telescopic tube
31. A microscope is focused on an object at the bottom of a bucket. If liquid with refractive index 5/3 is poured
inside the bucket, then microscope have to be raised by 30 cm to focus the object again. The height of the
liquid in the bucket is : [JEE Main Online 2023]
(A) 18 cm (B) 12 cm (C) 50 cm (D) 75 cm
ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE
1. A, B, C 2. A 3. A, D 4. C 5. A, B, D
6. A, D 7. B 8. B 9. D 10. B
11. D 12. D 13. A 14. D 15. A
16. B, C 17. B, D 18. A 19. A 20. B
21. C 22. D 23. D 24. B 25. D
26. C 27. C 28. A 29. B 30. D
31. D
[8]
