Calculating distance of image from lens

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In summary: This problem did not specify if the image is real or virtual. If the orientation of the image is given, you can decide. If the problem text was " The image of the object is inverted and its size is 1.5 times the object height" you would know that it was real. If the lens is diverging, you know the image is virtual. If you know that the object is placed closer to the converging lens as its focus, you know that the image is virtual.
  • #1
agoogler
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Homework Statement




An object is placed on the optic axis and in front of a converging lens of focal length 38 cm such that its image size is 1.5 times the object size. Calculate the distance of the image from the lens. Express your answer in centimeter.

Homework Equations



1/f=1/di + 1/do

M=hi/ho=-di/do



The Attempt at a Solution



Image size is 1.5 times the object size. So 1.5=-di/do
So , do=-di/1.5
So , 1/38=1/di + 1/(-di/1.5) = 1/di - 1.5/di =-0.5/di
Thus di=-0.5*38= -19 .
But the answer is wrong . Please help.
 
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  • #2
Len's Formula,
1/f=1/di-1/do
when sign convention is used.

& the formula which u are using

1/f=1/di+1/do
when sign convention is not used.

Magnification,

for real image
m= -hi/ho

for virtual image
m= hi/ho

now u must first clarify that is the image real or virtual.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
agoogler said:

Homework Statement




An object is placed on the optic axis and in front of a converging lens of focal length 38 cm such that its image size is 1.5 times the object size. Calculate the distance of the image from the lens. Express your answer in centimeter.

Homework Equations



1/f=1/di + 1/do

M=hi/ho=-di/do



The Attempt at a Solution



Image size is 1.5 times the object size. So 1.5=-di/do
So , do=-di/1.5
So , 1/38=1/di + 1/(-di/1.5) = 1/di - 1.5/di =-0.5/di
Thus di=-0.5*38= -19 .
But the answer is wrong . Please help.

The problem does not specify if the image is real or virtual. The magnification is defined as M=h(image)/h(object). The real image is inverted, so h(image) is negative. Therefore M=h(image)/h(object) = -1.5 = -di/do, that is, di/do=1.5.

In case of a virtual image, the image is erect, the magnification is positive, so di/do=-1.5, and the image distance is negative. Your result corresponds to that situation, and it is correct, if you explain that you assumed virtual image. The full solution has to include both possibilities: Determine the image distance also for the real image.

ehild
 
  • #4
ehild said:
The problem does not specify if the image is real or virtual. The magnification is defined as M=h(image)/h(object). The real image is inverted, so h(image) is negative. Therefore M=h(image)/h(object) = -1.5 = -di/do, that is, di/do=1.5.

In case of a virtual image, the image is erect, the magnification is positive, so di/do=-1.5, and the image distance is negative. Your result corresponds to that situation, and it is correct, if you explain that you assumed virtual image. The full solution has to include both possibilities: Determine the image distance also for the real image.

ehild
Awesome ! Taking di/do=1.5 I get the answer as 95 , which is correct.
But how to determine whether the image is real or virtual ?
 
  • #5
agoogler said:
Awesome ! Taking di/do=1.5 I get the answer as 95 , which is correct.
But how to determine whether the image is real or virtual ?

This problem did not specify if the image is real or virtual. If the orientation of the image is given, you can decide. If the problem text was " The image of the object is inverted and its size is 1.5 times the object height" you would know that it was real. If the lens is diverging, you know the image is virtual. If you know that the object is placed closer to the converging lens as its focus, you know that the image is virtual.


ehild
 

Related to Calculating distance of image from lens

1. How is the distance of an image from a lens calculated?

The distance of an image from a lens, also known as the image distance, is calculated using the thin lens equation: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v, where f is the focal length of the lens, u is the object distance (distance between the object and the lens), and v is the image distance (distance between the image and the lens).

2. What is the focal length of a lens?

The focal length of a lens is the distance between the lens and its focal point, where parallel rays of light converge to form a focused image. It is measured in millimeters (mm) and is typically listed on the lens itself or in the lens specifications.

3. Can the image distance ever be negative?

Yes, the image distance can be negative. This occurs when the image formed by the lens is virtual, meaning it is located on the same side of the lens as the object. In this case, the image distance is considered negative in the thin lens equation.

4. Does the object distance affect the image distance?

Yes, the object distance and image distance are inversely proportional. This means that as the object distance increases, the image distance decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the thin lens equation.

5. How accurate is the thin lens equation in calculating the image distance?

The thin lens equation is a simplified model and may not be completely accurate in all situations. Factors such as lens thickness, optical aberrations, and the size of the object can affect the accuracy of the calculated image distance. However, for most practical applications, the thin lens equation provides a good estimate of the image distance.

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