# Converging lens problem

1. Nov 14, 2015

### FritoTaco

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A magnifying glass has a converging lens of focal length 15.0 cm. At what distance from a nickel should you hold this lens to get an image with a magnification of +2.00?

2. Relevant equations
1/f = 1/di + 1/do
m = -di/do or hi/ho

3. The attempt at a solution
I tried to set it up like this:

1/15 = 1/di + 1/2do I don't know if that's even how it's set up or I tried to set up the magnification equation like

this: m = -di / 2do and cross multiply to get m2do = /di. I don't know how to set the problem up properly.

2. Nov 14, 2015

### BvU

Hello Taco, welcome to PF

You surprise me writing 1/f = 1/di + 1/do on one line and then 1/15 = 1/di + 1/2do a little further. Where does the 2 come from ?
If that is the magnification, then why first m = -di/do and a little further m = -di / 2do ?

3. Nov 14, 2015

### FritoTaco

Thanks! I know the magnification is 2 in order to help find the distance of the object. I first thought 2 would be plugged straight into m, so 2 = -di/do. But I don't have di or do. I only have one other number which is 15 for the focal length. Do I need to manipulate the equations? (i.e. 1/f = 1/di + 1/do and m = -di/do) Is there something I'm not seeing because I feel like it should be easier then it looks.

4. Nov 14, 2015

### BvU

2 = -di/do is good. So you can express di in terms of do.
the manipulation is simple: multiply left and right with do.
In mathematical terms: you have eliminated di. If you now substitute that in the other equation, you get one equation with one unknown (namely do), from which you should eb able to derive do.

There is one small problem: the minus sign. If you write "m = -di/do or hi/ho", do you have some coordinate system in mind ? Is the lens equation in the same system ?
Is the exercise really asking for a magnification +2 in the sense that it wants the image upright ? I think it is.
Can you draw and post a sketch of the situation ?

5. Nov 14, 2015

### FritoTaco

The real lens equation is similar. I have a screen shot of magnification and tin lens equation. My teacher said we can use di/do and hi/ho since its easier. I dont really know if the negative sign in di matters but I know it means virtual image and on the same side as the object, so yes, you are right about it being upright. Also the question says the image has a magnification of +2. Here is what i have done so far with what we've discussed

.

6. Nov 15, 2015

### BvU

OK, text book page is clear on what they mean (and you reproduced that correctly in your original post).
Your notes leave something to be desired, though: M > 0 leads us to expect one of the two of p and q to be negative. Let it be q (di).
So you have $\ 2 = {-d_i\over d_o} \Rightarrow -d_i = 2 d_o$ . Now for the lens formula: If I substitute $\ d_i = - 2 d_o \$ I sure don't get what you get !

In the mean time I've made a drawing and the situation is completetly clear ! I invite you to do so too, it really helps understandding, also for later exercises.

7. Nov 15, 2015

### FritoTaco

Thank you BvG! I wouldn't have solved it without your help. The answer is 7.50cm and the book answer is also 7.50cm. I've made a red pen mark in what you've got that I also missed.

8. Nov 15, 2015

### BvU

That looks very good! Up to you to make a drawing. It's really useful to develop that skill, it'll help you a lot in other exercises.

9. Nov 15, 2015

### FritoTaco

Oh yeah, I forgot about that, I think this is right but it's not drawn to scale.

10. Nov 15, 2015

### BvU

Not to scale is not relevant. You used the proper phsyical principles
1. rays going through focal point come out parallel to the optical axis
2. rays coming in parallel go through focal point
3. rays going through center go through unaffected
A (perhaps) dashed line from foot of red arrow to tip of black would heve made it even clearer, but it's obvious that you understand it all.

And you still have one of the three rules left over for checking purposes !

11. Nov 15, 2015

### FritoTaco

Hey, glad I made your day as you did to me too! :) Yeah, the 3rd line going through the center is good but probably will use it on the test. Glad it's solved, cya around BvU!

12. Nov 16, 2015

### BvU

JaredMTg found a place where you can play with a lot of physics simulations, also with lenses !
You can ask for the virtual image and shift the object to get a picture like

13. Nov 16, 2015

### FritoTaco

Hey, thank you again! I will definitely try it out to prepare me for the exam.