Derivation of the thin lens equation?

In summary, the Feynman lectures in chapter 27 discuss the derivation of the thin lens equation for a single refracting surface. The equation is h^2/2s + nh^2/s' = (n-1)h^2/2r, where s is the object distance, s' is the image distance, n is the index of refraction of the second medium, r is the radius of curvature, and h is the altitude of a triangle. The (n-1) term in the equation represents the excess time it takes for light to travel from V to Q in the glass, compared to the time it would take in air. This can be seen by subtracting the time it would take in air
  • #1
Qubit12
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'm currently reading chapter 27 of the Feynman lectures, where he derives the thin lens equation for a single refracting surface. He arrives at the equation

h^2/2s + nh^2/s' = (n-1)h^2/2r

Where s is the object distance, s' is the image distance, n is the index of refraction of the second medium (the first is one), r is the radius of curvature, and h is the altitude of a triangle

Where does the (n-1) come from? Wouldn't it simply be n?

This is kind of vague, so please look at the second page of
http://student.fizika.org/~jsisko/Knjige/Opca%20Fizika/Feynman%20Lectures%20on%20Physics/Vol%201%20Ch%2027%20-%20Geometric%20Optics.pdf

I would be so grateful. Thanks.
 
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  • #2
All expressions in the equation are excess times as compared with the idea that light travels from O to Q in the air and then from Q to O' in the glass.

[itex](n-1)\frac{h^2}{2R}[/itex] is about how much longer light travels between V and Q. [itex]n\frac{h^2}{2R}[/itex] is a total time of travel between V and Q, not excess time, for the excess time you have to subtract time it would take for the light to travel between V and Q in the air - which is just [itex]\frac{h^2}{2R}[/itex] (as we assumed the speed in air is just 1).
 

1. What is the thin lens equation?

The thin lens equation is a formula that relates the focal length, object distance, and image distance of a thin lens. It is represented as 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, where f is the focal length, do is the object distance, and di is the image distance.

2. How is the thin lens equation derived?

The thin lens equation is derived using the laws of refraction and the geometry of a thin lens. It assumes that the lens is thin enough that its thickness can be neglected and that the light rays passing through it are parallel.

3. What are the assumptions made in the derivation of the thin lens equation?

The derivation of the thin lens equation assumes that the lens is thin, the light rays passing through it are parallel, and the lens material has a constant refractive index. It also assumes that the distances are measured from the optical center of the lens.

4. Can the thin lens equation be used for all types of lenses?

No, the thin lens equation is only applicable for thin lenses, which are defined as lenses with a thickness much smaller than their focal length. It does not apply to thick lenses or lenses with varying refractive indices.

5. Can the thin lens equation be used for objects and images at any distance?

Yes, the thin lens equation can be used for both near and far objects and images. However, it is most accurate when the distances are much greater than the focal length of the lens.

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