Final image distance using lenses

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the final image distance in a two-lens system involving a 15cm focal-length converging lens and a 4.0cm focal-length converging lens. The final image is positioned halfway between the two lenses, requiring the application of the lens formula (1/s' + 1/s'' = 1/f). The user initially calculated the image distance for the first lens as 5.6 cm but misunderstood the relationship between the object distance for the second lens and the image distance from the first lens. The correct approach involves determining the relative positions of the lenses and applying the lens formula accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the lens formula: 1/s' + 1/s'' = 1/f
  • Knowledge of focal lengths and their significance in lens systems
  • Ability to calculate object and image distances in optical systems
  • Familiarity with converging lenses and their properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the lens formula and its applications in multi-lens systems
  • Study the concept of virtual and real images in optics
  • Learn about ray diagrams for converging lenses
  • Explore the effects of varying focal lengths on image formation
USEFUL FOR

Students studying optics, physics educators, and anyone involved in optical engineering or lens design will benefit from this discussion.

kiwi101
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A 15cm focal-length converging lens is 18cm to the right of a 4.0cm focal-length converging lens. A 4.0cm tall object is distance to the left of the first lens.
For what value of is the final image of this two-lens system halfway between the two lenses?

My attempt:
I am working backwards:
s" = -9 (final virtual image displayed halfway between lenses)
f = 15
I solved for (1/s') + (1/s") = 1/f
s'= 5.6 cm (real image distance formed from lense 1)
f = 4cm
and now solve for s one more time and get s = 14
but that is wrong
 
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kiwi101 said:
I solved for (1/s') + (1/s") = 1/f
s'= 5.6 cm (real image distance formed from lense 1)
s' is object distance for 2nd lens. That's not the same as the image distance for the 1st lens. If the object of the 2nd lens is 5.6 cm to the left of the 2nd lens, how far is that to the right of the 1st lens?
 

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