Calculating Diopters for Bifocals: What Power Should They Have?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DrMcDreamy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Calculation
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the appropriate diopter power for bifocals based on a person's vision needs. For distant vision, the upper portion of the bifocals should accommodate a range from 49 cm to 1.5 m, leading to a calculated power of approximately 2.04 D or 0.67 D, indicating confusion in the calculations. The lower portion, designed for comfortable viewing at 25 cm, requires a power of 4 D. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their calculations and seeks clarification. Accurate diopter calculations are essential for effective bifocal prescriptions.
DrMcDreamy
Messages
68
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



This is a 2 part problem:

4- A person is to be fitted with bifocals. She can see clearly when the object is between 49 cm and 1.5 m from the eye. The upper portions of the bifocals should be designed to enable her to see distant objects clearly. What power should they have? Answer in units of diopters.

5- The lower portions of the bifocals should en- able her to see objects comfortably at 25 cm. What power should they have? Answer in units of diopters.

Homework Equations



P=\frac{1}{f}

The Attempt at a Solution



4- P = \frac{1}{0.49 m} = 2.04 x 100 = 204 D
or it might be P = \frac{1}{1.5 m} = 0.666 x 100 = 66.6 D

5- P = \frac{1}{0.25 m} = 4 x 100 = 400 D

I know I am doing something wrong can you help me?! TIA
 
Physics news on Phys.org


*bump*
 


*bump*
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
39
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K