Thin lenses
Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) · Unit 3: Waves · 16 flashcards
Thin lenses is topic 3.2.3 in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) syllabus
, positioned in Unit 3 — Waves , alongside General properties of waves, Reflection of light and Refraction of light.
In one line: (a) Principal axis: An imaginary line passing through the optical centre of the lens and perpendicular to both lens surfaces. (1 mark)
(b) Focal length: The distance between the optical centre of the lens and the principal focus. (1 mark).
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).
The deck below contains 16 flashcards — 1 definition — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
The following terms related to thin lenses: (a) Principal axis (b) Focal length
(a) Principal axis: An imaginary line passing through the optical centre of the lens and perpendicular to both lens surfaces. (1 mark)
(b) Focal length: The distance between the optical centre of the lens and the principal focus. (1 mark)
What the Cambridge 0625 syllabus says
Official 2026-2028 specThese are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.
- Describe Describe the action of thin converging and thin diverging lenses on a parallel beam of light
- Define Define and use the terms focal length, principal axis and principal focus (focal point)
- Draw Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a real image by a converging lens
- Describe Describe the characteristics of an image using the terms enlarged/same size/diminished, upright/inverted and real/virtual
- Know Know that a virtual image is formed when diverging rays are extrapolated backwards and does not form a visible projection on a screen
- Draw Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a virtual image by a converging lens Supplement
- Describe Describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass Supplement
- Describe Describe the use of converging and diverging lenses to correct long-sightedness and short-sightedness Supplement
A parallel beam of light is incident on a converging lens. The lens has a focal length of 5.0 cm. Describe what happens to the parallel beam of light after it passes through the lens.
The parallel beam of light will converge to a single point, known as the principal focus, on the other side of the lens. This point is located at a distance of 5.0 cm from the lens along the principal axis.
A parallel beam of light is incident on a diverging lens. State what happens to the parallel beam of light after it passes through the lens.
The parallel beam of light will diverge. The rays will appear to originate from a point on the same side of the lens as the incoming parallel beam. This point is the principal focus of the diverging lens.
Define the following terms related to thin lenses: (a) Principal axis (b) Focal length
(a) Principal axis: An imaginary line passing through the optical centre of the lens and perpendicular to both lens surfaces. (1 mark)
(b) Focal length: The distance between the optical centre of the lens and the principal focus. (1 mark)
A parallel beam of light is incident on a converging lens. State what happens to the light rays after they pass through the lens and define the principal focus (focal point) of the lens.
The parallel light rays are refracted by the lens and converge to a single point. (1 mark)
Principal focus (focal point): The point on the principal axis where parallel rays of light converge after passing through a converging lens. (1 mark)
An object is placed 6.0 cm away from a converging lens with a focal length of 4.0 cm. Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image. Clearly show at least two rays from the top of the object to determine the image location.
1. Draw the lens and principal axis.
2. Draw the object 6.0 cm from the lens.
3. Draw a ray from the top of the object parallel to the principal axis, refracting through the focal point on the other side of the lens.
4. Draw a ray from the top of the object passing through the center of the lens (this ray should be undeviated).
5. The point where the two rays intersect is the location of the top of the image. Draw the image.
Explanation: The intersection of the rays shows where the image is formed. This diagram should result in a real, inverted, and magnified image.
State two differences between the object and the image formed by a converging lens when the object is placed beyond the focal length.
1. The image is inverted, while the object is upright.
2. The image can be magnified or diminished relative to the object's size.
Explanation: When an object is placed beyond the focal length of a converging lens, the image formed is real and inverted. Depending on the object distance relative to the focal length, the image can be larger or smaller than the object.
A lens forms an image of a 2.0 cm tall object. The image is 6.0 cm tall and inverted. Describe the characteristics of the image formed, including whether it is enlarged/same size/diminished, upright/inverted, and real/virtual.
Enlarged: The image height (6.0 cm) is greater than the object height (2.0 cm).
Inverted: The question states that the image is inverted.
Real: An inverted image formed by a single lens is always a real image. This is because real images are formed by the actual intersection of light rays, which is necessary to create an inverted image.
State three characteristics used to describe the image formed by a lens.
1. Enlarged/Same size/Diminished: Refers to the size of the image compared to the object.
2. Upright/Inverted: Describes the orientation of the image relative to the object.
3. Real/Virtual: Indicates whether the image is formed by actual intersection of light rays (real) or the apparent intersection of light rays (virtual).
A lens forms an image where diverging rays appear to originate. Explain why this image cannot be projected onto a screen.
Virtual images are formed where diverging rays are extrapolated backwards. These rays do not actually converge at a single point in space, so they cannot form a visible projection on a screen. Only real images, formed by converging rays, can be projected.
State two differences between a real image and a virtual image.
1. A real image is formed by converging rays, while a virtual image is formed by diverging rays extrapolated backwards.
2. A real image can be projected onto a screen, while a virtual image cannot.
An object is placed 3 cm from a converging lens with a focal length of 5 cm. Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image. Clearly indicate the position and nature (real or virtual) of the image.
Ray Diagram:
1. Draw the lens and principal axis.
2. Draw the object 3 cm from the lens.
3. Draw a ray from the top of the object parallel to the principal axis. After refraction, it passes through the focal point on the other side of the lens (5 cm from the lens).
4. Draw a ray from the top of the object through the center of the lens. This ray continues in a straight line.
5. Trace both rays BACKWARDS. Where they intersect represents the top of the virtual image.
Image Location: The rays diverge after passing through the lens, so the image is formed on the SAME side of the lens as the object.
Image Nature: Virtual (because rays do not actually converge to form it).
State three differences between real and virtual images.
1. Real images are formed by the actual intersection of light rays, whereas virtual images are formed by the apparent intersection of light rays (extensions of the rays).
2. Real images can be projected onto a screen, whereas virtual images cannot.
3. Real images are always inverted relative to the object (for a converging lens), while virtual images formed by a single converging lens are always upright.
An object 2.0 cm tall is placed 4.0 cm from a converging lens with a focal length of 8.0 cm. Describe the characteristics of the image formed. (real/virtual, upright/inverted, magnified/diminished)
Answer:
1. Virtual: Since the object is placed inside the focal length.
2. Upright: Virtual images formed by converging lenses are always upright.
3. Magnified: Since object is inside focal length.
To quantify the magnification: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u, 1/8 = 1/v + 1/-4, 1/v = 1/8 + 1/4 = 3/8, v = 8/3, which means that the magnification is M = v/u = (8/3)/4 = 2/3 (NOTE: error in previous statement that image is magnified, it's actually diminished since 2/3 < 1. The principle holds though that object is placed within the focal length)
Final Answer: Virtual, Upright, Diminished.
State three conditions that must be met for a single converging lens to act as a magnifying glass.
Answer:
1. The object must be placed inside the focal length (u < f).
2. The lens must be a converging lens (also known as a convex lens).
3. The eye must be positioned to view the virtual, magnified image formed by the lens.
A person is long-sighted. Their near point is 1.5 m. What focal length of converging lens is needed to correct their vision so they can see objects clearly at a distance of 0.25 m?
Focal length, *f* = (image distance * object distance) / (image distance - object distance)
Image distance = -1.5 m (negative because the image formed by the lens needs to be at the person's near point)
Object distance = 0.25 m
*f* = (-1.5 m * 0.25 m) / (-1.5 m - 0.25 m)
*f* = -0.375 m² / -1.75 m
*f* = 0.21 m
A converging lens of focal length 0.21 m is needed. The image must be formed at the person's near point, which is why the image distance is negative.
Explain how a diverging lens corrects short-sightedness. Include in your explanation where the image is formed.
In a short-sighted person, the eye lens focuses light from distant objects *in front* of the retina, resulting in a blurry image. A diverging lens is placed in front of the eye to spread out the light rays *before* they enter the eye. This shifts the focal point of the eye lens further back, so it now falls *on* the retina, resulting in a clear image. The diverging lens creates a virtual, upright and diminished image *closer* to the eye than the actual object.
Key Questions: Thin lenses
Define the following terms related to thin lenses: (a) Principal axis (b) Focal length
(a) Principal axis: An imaginary line passing through the optical centre of the lens and perpendicular to both lens surfaces. (1 mark)
(b) Focal length: The distance between the optical centre of the lens and the principal focus. (1 mark)
More topics in Unit 3 — Waves
Thin lenses sits alongside these Physics decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Key terms covered in this Thin lenses deck
Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.
Related Physics guides
Long-read articles that go beyond the deck — cover the whole subject's common mistakes, high-yield content and revision pacing.
How to study this Thin lenses deck
Start in Study Mode, attempt each card before flipping, then rate Hard, Okay or Easy. Cards you rate Hard come back within a day; cards you rate Easy push out to weeks. Your progress is saved in your browser, so come back daily for 5–10 minute reviews until every card reads Mastered.
Study Mode
Space to flip • ←→ to navigate • Esc to close
You're on a roll!
You've viewed 10 topics today
Create a free account to unlock unlimited access to all revision notes, flashcards, and study materials.
You're all set!
Enjoy unlimited access to all study materials.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
What you'll get:
- Unlimited revision notes & flashcards
- Track your study progress
- No spam, just study updates