What is Ray optics: Definition and 36 Discussions

Geometrical optics, or ray optics, is a model of optics that describes light propagation in terms of rays. The ray in geometric optics is an abstraction useful for approximating the paths along which light propagates under certain circumstances.
The simplifying assumptions of geometrical optics include that light rays:

propagate in straight-line paths as they travel in a homogeneous medium
bend, and in particular circumstances may split in two, at the interface between two dissimilar media
follow curved paths in a medium in which the refractive index changes
may be absorbed or reflected.Geometrical optics does not account for certain optical effects such as diffraction and interference. This simplification is useful in practice; it is an excellent approximation when the wavelength is small compared to the size of structures with which the light interacts. The techniques are particularly useful in describing geometrical aspects of imaging, including optical aberrations.

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  1. Rhdjfgjgj

    Proof that velocity of image by a plane mirror is negative of object

    We were studying reflection due to plane mirrors and our sir derived the relation between velocity of image and velocity of object in case of a plane mirror. He took the following case as bare for deriving the formula. Following is the detailed working Now I was wondering if I could derive it...
  2. A

    Image in a glass sphere (Ray Optics)

  3. A

    Question regarding Ray Optics and Probability

    Let there be a sphere whose inner surface consists of a perfectly reflecting surface. It has a hole on it which allows a ray of light to enter. Give the angle made with the normal of the hole when the ray of light enters such that the probability that the ray comes out is the least?Assuming the...
  4. Krushnaraj Pandya

    Ray optics conceptual question

    Homework Statement I read that the magnification for a point object is undefined, but when we draw ray diagrams we consider the rays to be emanating from a point source and also define magnification for it- what am I missing? Homework Equations -- The Attempt at a Solution (conceptual query)
  5. M

    How does the sign convention work in ray optics?

    Homework Statement I needed help to undestand some concepts in Ray Optics for my assignment. The topics which U am concerned are: Part 1: Mirror Equation, Refraction at singly curved surface, lens maker's equation, combination of thin lenses in contact. Part 2: Magnification Power of simple...
  6. esha

    The validity of ray optics in telescopes

    the largest telescope in the world has an aperture of 10 m. According to the fresnel distance this makes ray optics valid for it, for a wavelength of lightsay 500 nm, uptil a distance of 2 * 10^7 m. I have read that after the fresnel distance, diffraction tends to dominate. But telescopes tend...
  7. Q

    Creating a two lens system of tunable focal length

    Hello, I would like to reduce the beam size of a laser by a factor of 10, with the purpose of replacing a long (750 mm) lens with a more compact design. Ideally I'd make a Galilean lens pair where the ratio of the focal lengths are 10:1 to produce a small collimated beam. However, I think I...
  8. J

    Optical Tweezers in the Ray Optics Regime

    Homework Statement Consider an optical tweezer operated in the ray optics regime as shown in Figure. Net reflection angle of the ray shown in Figure is θ = 10◦ (See Figure). Since more photons take the thick ray than the thin ray, a net force of F = 1 pN is exerted on the sphere toward the...
  9. K

    I What is the boundary surface of a collimator?

    Hi everybody, I’m trying to calculate the shape of a boundary line f(x) between two mediums that collimates rays from a point light source. This requires the rays to hit the boundary line under a certain angle, so I calculated the slope m(φ) of the boundary line for a ray with polar angle φ (φ...
  10. Eveflutter

    Help! Confused on Ray Diagram for Exam Question

    Fairly simple question I'd like someone to help with please. My teacher has me confused so I figured I'd turn to the forums for help. 1. Alright, so in an exam we had a ray diagram to draw. "Complete the ray diagram shown in Figure 6" they said (I sketched a replica * thumbs up*...
  11. Docscientist

    Understanding the Reflection of Light: Ray Optics and Concave Mirrors

    Why a ray of light passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror,gets reflected along the same path?
  12. A

    What would the angle φ be for this deflected laser beam?

    Homework Statement The mirror in the image below deflects a horizontal laser by angle θ. What is the angle φ if θ = 60°. Homework Equations θi=θr The Attempt at a Solution So I know that, if I draw a line normal to the mirror, that will make it so that the incident angle and the reflected...
  13. B

    Determine equation for object distance

    Homework Statement You wish to use a converging mirror to form an image that is N times larger than the object. R is the radius of curvature of the mirror. At what distance o from the mirror should you place the object? Determine the object distance. Express your answer in terms of N and R...
  14. P

    Why are images formed when rays intersect?

    In most (perhaps all) books it was mentioned that intersection of the light from the object when reflected by the mirror or refracted by a lens intersect at a particular point. That point when traced till the principal axis gives the image. (Provided object lies on the axis). I do not understand...
  15. UchihaClan13

    Ray Optics Doubt: Can an Equilateral Triangle Form?

    Alright I was doing some basic questions on ray optics when this doubt came to my mind So my doubt goes like this:(IT may be silly) Consider a concave mirror with pole P and centre of curvature C Its principal axis is extended on both sides Now consider a ray parallel to the principal axis Call...
  16. kelvin490

    Question about lens maker's formula

    I am trying to follow the derivation of lens maker's formula from the textbook "University Physics", p.1133 (https://books.google.com.hk/books?id=nQZyAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1133#v=onepage&q&f=false ) I can understand the first equation because it is just the object–image relationship for spherical...
  17. W

    Need help understanding ray optics question

    Homework Statement http://i.imgur.com/q6EaspT.png 2. The attempt at a solution why is the answer C? shouldn't the aperture in front of the screen create a shadow that blocks all the light except the rays that go through slit? (the width of the slit is >>>1mm so it won't make a diffraction pattern.)
  18. S

    Microscope magnification using Ray Optics

    Homework Statement Basically, derive the formula ## m = \frac{ 25 cm}{f_e} \frac{L}{f_o} ## using ray matrices. This just has variable tube length and assumes eye to object distance is 25 cm. Homework Equations Ray matrices: ## \left[ \begin{array}{cc} 1 & d \\ 0 & 1 \end{array} \right] ##...
  19. C

    Ray optics of a telescope question

    Its an often prøven fact that a convex lens focused rays parallel with the optical axis into the focal point of the lens, but what about rays that are parallel with each other and with a small angle to the optical axis? In ray diagrams with telescopes (such like the one below) one often draws...
  20. Saitama

    Ray optics - Reflection from sphere

    Homework Statement A light ray parallel to the x-axis strikes the outer reflecting surface of a sphere at a point (2,2,0). Its center is at the point (0,0,-1). The unit vector along the direction of reflected ray is ##x\hat{i}+y\hat{j}+z\hat{k}##. Find the value of ##yz/x^2##. Homework...
  21. T

    Solving Ray Optics Problem 2: Mirror Positions and Image Formation

    Hi friends, Please help me in answering this problem The problem is as follows, https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s480x480/11130_2937865262994_1085043361_n.jpg Well, Friends when the lower mirror would be at position 'A', which is moving in the upward direction...
  22. T

    Solving Ray Optics Problem: Understanding Refraction and Deviation

    Hi friends, Please help me in answering this problem The problem is as follows, https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s480x480/557923_2937818221818_1718139220_n.jpg Well, As far as I am concerned, When white light fall on the first surface, after refraction...
  23. W

    Find the object location with ray optics

    Homework Statement A 1.0-cm-tall object is placed 4.0cm from a diverging lens of focal length 6.0cm. Using both ray tracing and the thin lens formula, find the location and orientation of the image. Homework Equations -1/f = 1/so + 1/si m = -si/so = hi/ho The Attempt at a Solution...
  24. V

    Calculate Image Diameter of Sun in Concave Mirror with Given θ and f

    θHomework Statement The sun of (diameter D) subtends an angle of θ radians at the pole of the concave mirror of focal length f. The diameter of the image of the sun formed by mirror is _____ Homework Equations 1/v+1/u=1/f The Attempt at a Solution confused with question. Either i...
  25. L

    Is a lens necessary for producing focused images?

    But if this is so, then in these photographs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_chamber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_chamber the "particle track - line of bubbles" shouldn't be able to be photographed so defined, but blureness should be photographed instead, since-if no lens was used...
  26. A

    Trouble understanding ray optics

    The sun emits radiation in all directions. On the Earth, the rays from the sun are approximately parallel. Whatever side of the Earth is facing the sun at any given time is completely bathed in light. When I look at the sun, I can see it as an object..ie. my eyes can figure out where the rays...
  27. S

    Optimal Mirror Width for Complete Face Reflection: Solving with Ray Optics

    Homework Statement A young lady wants to see herself in a small mirror, the ear to ear width of her face is 6 in and eye to eye is 4 in. What should be the minimum width of a mirror so that she can see her face completelyHomework EquationsThere a few equations which when directly applied give...
  28. L

    Ray Optics (Refraction Theory)

    Homework Statement Paralel light rays travel from air to a glass hemisphere with radius R and index of refraction n_{g}that is greater than n_{air}. A top view is shown in the attached image. (a) Where do the rays focus relative to the point P? (b) The index of refraction of the...
  29. S

    Ray Optics Q2: Find Focal Length of Mirror

    Homework Statement A 2.0--cm tall object is placed in front of a mirror. A 1.0--cm tall upright image is formed behind the mirror, 165 cm from the object. What is the focal length of the mirror? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I tried 37 cm, it was incorrect
  30. S

    Ray Optics Question #1: Concave Mirror Image Formation

    Homework Statement An object is 12 cm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 21 cm . Locate the image in s' Is the image upright or inverted? Homework Equations willl get back with it The Attempt at a Solution Im not sure where to start, this should be a simple...
  31. R

    Ray Optics: Examining Meter Stick in Tank

    Homework Statement The figure shows a meter stick lying on the bottom of a 100-cm-long tank with its zero mark against the left edge. You look into the tank at a 30^\circ angle, with your line of sight just grazing the upper left edge of the tank. 1)What mark do you see on the meter stick...
  32. B

    Simple Ray Optics Problem-Check my answer?

    Simple Ray Optics Problem--Check my answer? Homework Statement You're helping with an experiment in which a vertical cylinder will rotate about its axis by a very small angle. You need to devise a way to measure this angle. You decide to use what is called an optical lever. You begin by...
  33. R

    Here's a question on light ray optics and focal length.

    Here's a question on ray optics. We say that the focal length of a lens is half times the radius of curvature, right. Now, consider any lens(say convex), made of any material(say glass). Now a beam of light parallel to the principle axis, passes through the lens. All the rays in the beam will...
  34. cepheid

    Ray Optics: Angular Magnification

    Hi, I did a homework problem in which I was to show that a refracting telescope, modeled as a sequence of two thin lenses separated by a distance equal to the sum of their focal lengths, is capable of producing angular magnification. In my course we have been solving these questions in...
  35. F

    Solve Ray Optics Problem to Find delta y

    Here is the problem I am working on: Sunlight enters a room at an angle of theta = 32° above the horizontal and reflects from a small mirror lying flat on the floor. The reflected light forms a spot on a wall that is d = 1.9 m behind the mirror, as shown in Figure 26-42. If you now place a...
  36. S

    Solving Ray Optics Question: Thin Prism Refraction Index 1.41

    Hello there, I've been working on the following question: A thin prism with a refraction index of n=1.41 has a top angle of 5.7 degrees. Find the angle of deflection for a light ray that falls on the prism surface : (a) normally (b) At an angle of 4 degrees I have worked out the second...
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