Angular Magnification for mirrors and lens

In summary, the conversation is discussing angular and lateral magnification, and the question of whether for small angles the magnification is always -1. The conversation also touches on the relevance of angular magnification in optical instruments and the concept of parallel light rays and their focus on a spherical concave mirror. The question of how far from the axis the rays will focus is left open for further research.
  • #1
jix
15
0

Homework Statement


I'm looking for someone to clarify a strange result regarding angular magnification. For both mirrors and lens.

Homework Equations


m(angular) = θ'/θ
M(lateral) = h'/h = - d'/d
θ ≈ h/d (for small angles)

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the angle equation, I get a result that looks like:

m(angular) = (h'/h) * (d/d')

But since h'/h = -d'/d, I get m(angular) = -1, regardless of the angles, distances, etc. Is this wrong, or is it true that for small angles the magnification is actually always -1?

Thanks to everyone in advance.
 
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  • #2
Angular magnification is typically relevant for situations where the lateral magnification is formally infinite. For instance, a microscope's job is to make tiny objects "look big", but just as importantly, a microscope's job is to put the image "very far" away, so that you can view it with a relaxed eye (it takes more effort to focus on something close to your face). Also, angular magnification is typically relevant for compont optical instruments, where the comparison is made when the object is measured from the objective lens and the angle of the image is measured at the focal point of the eyepiece.
 
  • #3
How about this: parallel light rays, makng a small angle α with the optical axis of a spherical concave mirror, where will the rays focus? First of all, do they focus on the same plane (perpendicular to the optical axis) as the focal point, and secondly, how far from the axis?

That's the actual question, but I wanted to get a better understanding of the concept as a whole.
 
  • #4
jix said:
parallel light rays, makng a small angle α with the optical axis of a spherical concave mirror, where will the rays focus? First of all, do they focus on the same plane (perpendicular to the optical axis) as the focal point, and secondly, ...
I believe that they will, if α is small. That explains the small angle qualification.

jix said:
... how far from the axis?
That's something that you should search in your book/notes, and then get back to us.
 

1. What is angular magnification and how is it calculated?

Angular magnification is a measure of the apparent increase in size of an object when viewed through an optical instrument, such as a mirror or lens. It is calculated by dividing the angle subtended by the image formed by the instrument by the angle subtended by the object.

2. What is the difference between angular magnification for mirrors and lenses?

The main difference is that for mirrors, the angle subtended by the object is measured from the center of curvature of the mirror, while for lenses, the angle is measured from the optical center of the lens.

3. Can angular magnification be negative?

Yes, angular magnification can be negative if the image formed by the instrument is inverted compared to the object. This is often the case with concave mirrors and diverging lenses.

4. How does the focal length of the instrument affect angular magnification?

The shorter the focal length of the instrument, the larger the angular magnification will be. This is because a shorter focal length results in a larger angle subtended by the image compared to the object.

5. Is angular magnification the same as magnification?

No, angular magnification and magnification are not the same. Angular magnification is a measure of the change in angle of an object, while magnification is a measure of the change in size. They are related, but not interchangeable.

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