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jcpwn2004
May1-08, 12:52 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

1. A converging lens is used to focus parallel beams of red light and then later used to focus parallel beams of green light. Which focal length is longer? Explain

2. A photographer moves closer to his subject & then refocuses the camera. Is the camera lens now closer to or further from the film? Explain

2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

I want to say red for the first one. I'm guessing that from snells law green light will converge quicker since it has a higher index of refraction than red light?

For the 2nd one I want to say further...Since the camera is closer the light coming in converges faster so the new focal point will be further away from the film?

mgb_phys
May1-08, 02:07 PM
"Blue Bent Best" - the green light focusses at a shorter distance than red.
So yes, the effective focal lenght for green light is shorter.

Correct again.
A useful rule to remember is that a lens at a distance 'f' focus light at infinity a lens at a distance 2f focuses light from a distance 2f.

jcpwn2004
May1-08, 02:14 PM
"Blue Bent Best" - the green light focusses at a shorter distance than red.
So yes, the effective focal lenght for green light is shorter.

Correct again.
A useful rule to remember is that a lens at a distance 'f' focus light at infinity a lens at a distance 2f focuses light from a distance 2f.

thanks for the response!