Optical instruments - key formulas

The lens of our eyes are attached to the ciliary muscles, which can alter the curvature of the the lens and thus
adjust the focal length, so that the image forms at the retina. When the ciliary muscles are relaxed, the lens has
the maximum focal length which is equal to its distance from the retina.

When the object (virtual or real) is at infinity, the rays are parallel and get focused on the retina without much
effort of these muscles. The ciliary muscles are relaxed. Thus any image formed due to a microscope or otherwise
will be comfortable to view when it is at infinity.

The minimum distance for clear vision is D.

Simple microscope

Visual angle is the angle subtended by the object on the eye.

h
�=d

Visual angle with instrument D

Magnifying power (M) = =
Maximum visual angle for unaided eye d

Normal adjustment: for a relaxed eye, the microscope must form the image at infinity. So, the object must be at
the focus of the microscope lens, so that the emergent rays are parallel and the image is at infinity.

D
In this case, magnifying power M∞ = �

If the image is to be formed at the least distance of distinct vision, D, the object must be placed at a specific
position, which can be calculated by the lens formula. The eye is the most strained, but a larger size can be seen.

D
In this case, magnifying power MD = 1 + � .

Compound microscope

It consists of two converging lenses arranged coaxially.

The length of the microscope L is the distance between the objective lens and eyepiece.

The object is placed beyond the focus of the objective, so that an intermediate real and inverted image is formed
in between the objective and eyepiece lens.

The intermediate image acts as an object for the eyepiece, which lies between the focus and pole. The eypiece
forms a magnified and erect virtual image.

The length of the microscope is L = �� + �� .

The magnifying power of the system is expressed as the product of linear and angular magnification.
�� �
M=
�� ��

For relaxed eye, the final image by the microscope must be formed at infinity.
�� �
M∞ =
�� � �

To form the final image at D, a certain value of �� is required, which is calculated by the lens formula. The
magnifying power of the system is calculated.
�� �
MD = 1+
�� ��
Galilean telescope

A convergent lens is used as the objective lens and a divergent

lens is used as the eyepiece.

The eyepice intercepts the converging light rays from the

objective lens before they reach the focus of the objective lens.

The length of the telescope is �� − �� .

The magnifying power of the telescope is the ratio of the focal length of the objective lens and the virtual object
distance for the eyepiece.

��
M=
��

For the relaxed eye, the intermediate image lies at the first focus of the eyepiece.

��
M∞ =
��

To form the final image at D, the magnifying power is calculated as:

�� ��
MD = 1−
�� D

Astronomical telescope

It consists of two convergent lenses placed coaxially. The length of the telescope is �� + �� .

��
M=
��

��
M∞ =
��

�� ��
MD = 1+
�� D

Terrestrial telescope

In an astronomical telescope, the final image is inverted. To make it upright, a convex lens of focal length f is
introduced between the two lenses such that the focus of the objective lens is at a distance 2f away from this lens.

The length of the microscope is L = �� + �� + 4�.

��
M=
��

��
M∞ =
��

�� ��
MD = 1+
�� D