20 Physics -- Lenses

Define the following terms : Centre of curvature, Radius of Curvature, Principal Axis, Optical Centre , Principal Focus , Focal length & Focal plane .

Define the following terms : Centre of curvature, Radius of Curvature, Principal Axis, Optical Centre , Principal Focus , Focal length & Focal plane .

1. Centre of curvature: The centre of curvature is the center of the sphere from which a curved mirror or lens is derived. For a concave mirror or a convex lens, it is the center of the sphere of which the reflecting surface or the refracting surface is a part.


2. Radius of curvature: The radius of curvature is the distance between the centre of curvature and the vertex (the geometric center) of a curved mirror or lens. It is denoted by the symbol 'R'.


3. Principal axis: The principal axis is an imaginary line passing through the centre of curvature and the vertex of a curved mirror or lens. It is the axis around which the mirror or lens is symmetrical.


4. Optical centre: The optical centre is the geometric center of a lens. It is the point on the principal axis through which light passes undeviated. For thin lenses, the optical centre coincides with the lens's physical center.


5. Principal focus: The principal focus is a point on the principal axis of a curved mirror or lens where parallel rays of light converge or appear to diverge from. For a concave mirror or a convex lens, the principal focus is in front of the mirror or lens if it converges light, or behind the mirror or lens if it diverges light.


6. Focal length: The focal length is the distance between the principal focus and the vertex of a curved mirror or lens. It is denoted by the symbol 'f'. It determines the amount of bending or focusing power of the mirror or lens. A shorter focal length implies stronger bending or focusing.


7. Focal plane: The focal plane is the plane perpendicular to the principal axis that passes through the principal focus. It is the plane where the focused image or light rays converge or appear to diverge.

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