Convex Lens in Water Convex Lens in Water

Convex Lens in Water

Convex Lens in Water Glass H 2 O Glass Air Because glass has a higher index of refraction that water the convex lens at the left will still converge light, but it will converge at a greater distance from the lens that it normally would in air. This is due to the fact that the difference in index of refraction between water and glass is small compared to that of air and glass. A large difference in index of refraction means a greater change in speed of light at the interface and, hence, a more dramatic change of direction.

Convex Lens Made of Water Glass Air n = 1. 5 H 2 O Air n = 1. 33 Since water has a higher index of refraction than air, a convex lens made of water will converge light just as a glass lens of the same shape. However, the glass lens will have a smaller focal length than the water lens (provided the lenses are of same shape) because glass has an index of refraction greater than that of water. Since there is a bigger difference in refractive index at the air-glass interface than at the air-water interface, the glass lens will bend light more than the water lens.

Air & Water Lenses Air On the left is depicted a concave lens filled with water, and light rays entering it from an air-filled environment. Water has a higher index than air, so the rays diverge just like they do with a glass lens. Concave lens made of H 2 O To the right is an air-filled convex lens submerged in water. Instead of converging the light, the rays diverge because air has a lower index than water. H 2 O Convex lens made of Air What would be the situation with a concave lens made of air submerged in water?