Let consider a portion of a spherical surface AB separating two media having refracting indices μ1 and μ2 (Figure). This is symmetrical about an axis passing through the centre C and cuts the surface at P. The point P is called the pole of the surface. Let R be the radius of curvature of the surface.
Consider a point object O on the axis in the first medium. Consider two rays OP and OD originating from O. The ray OP falls normally on AB and goes into the second medium, undeviated. The ray OD falls at D very close to P. After refraction, it meets at the point I on the axis, where the image is formed. CE is the normal drawn to the point D. Let i and r be the angle of incidence and refraction respectively.
Let angle DOP = α, angle DCP = β, angle DIC = γ
Since D is close to P. the angles α, β and γ are all small. (From the Figure)
tan α = DP/PO; tan β = DP/PC and tan γ = DP/PI
so, α = DP/PO; β = DP/PC and γ = DP/PI
From the ∆ODC, i = α + β … … … (1)
From the ∆DCI, β = r + γ or, r = β – γ … … … (2)
From Snell’s law, μ2/μ1 = (sin i /sin r); and for small angle of i and r, we can right, μ1 i = μ2 r … … … (3)
From equation (1), (2) and (3) we get;
μ1 (α + β) = μ2 (β – γ) or, μ1 α + μ1 γ = (μ2 – μ1)β
As the incident ray comes from left to right, we choose this direction as the positive direction of the axis. Therefore u is negative, whereas v and R are positive substitute PO = -u; PI = +v and PC = + R in equation.
(μ1/-u) + (μ2/v) = (μ2 – μ1)/R
or, (μ2/v) – (μ1/u) = (μ2 – μ1)/R … …. …. (5)
Equation (5) represents the general equation for refraction at a spherical surface.
If the first medium is air and the second medium is of refractive index μ, then
μ/v – 1/u = (μ-1)/R
