Microscope Optics: questions and calculations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the optics of microscopes, specifically focusing on the calculations related to image distances and magnification using thin lens formulas. Participants are analyzing the behavior of a microscope setup involving an objective lens and an eyepiece.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants share their calculations for image distances and magnification, questioning the nature of the images (real vs. virtual) and the distances involved. Some participants seek clarification on the setup and the relevant equations, while others express confusion about specific values and their implications.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing calculations and questioning each other's reasoning. There is an exchange of insights regarding the setup and the equations used, but no consensus has been reached on certain aspects, such as the interpretation of image distances and the performance of the microscope.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accuracy in calculations and the relevance of the specific lenses used in the experiment. There are indications of missing information and assumptions that may affect the understanding of the problem.

member 731016
Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this problem,

Distance from objective to object ##š‘‘š‘‚ = 10.6cm##
Distance between the objective and eyepiece ##š· = 34cm##

1683350352608.png


For (b) I got ##d_I = 26 cm## and ##M_1 = -2.4## which means that firsts image is inverted and real

For (c) I got ##dI' = 35 cm## and ##M_2 = -1.3##. However, I thought ##dI' < 0## since the second image is virtual and inverted from a ray diagram.

For (d)

I got ##M = M_1M_2 = 3.2## which is interesting since the finial image is inverted

Can someone please tell me whether I am correct and how to tell the second image is virtual without drawing a ray diagram?

Many thanks!
 
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Hi, seems to me there is a lot missing:
Given information?
Relevant equations?
 
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BvU said:
Hi, seems to me there is a lot missing:
Given information?
Relevant equations?
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

Distance from objective to object ## d_O = 10.6cm##
Distance between the objective and eyepiece ##D = 34cm##

Is the given information (the data collected from the experiment)

Relevant equation:
- thin lens formula ##\frac{1}{d_O} + \frac{1}{d_I} = \frac{1}{f}##
- Magnification formula ##M = -\frac{d_{O}}{d_I}##

Many thanks!
 
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
 
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BvU said:
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

Well it did in the labs! We used a 150 mm and 75 mm convex lens to make a microscope and adjusted the distances accordingly to get a clear image.

Many thanks!
 
ChiralSuperfields said:
Well it did in the labs! We used a 150 mm and 75 mm convex lens to make a microscope and adjusted the distances accordingly to get a clear image
Do you realize there is some very useful information there?
BvU said:
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
So this isn't some biologist's microscope, but a lab exercise to work out the principles. OK!

And now we have some input for the relevant equations !

Now we can gamble safely that the objective lens is the 75 mm one ( but it would have been much better if you had offered that voluntarily in the problem description :wink:).

Then I can understand your answer to the (b) (?) part.

But not what you do for (c). What is your ##d_{O'}## ?
(Or better: post your work, clearly, step by step :smile:)

##\ ##
 
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BvU said:
Do you realize there is some very useful information there?

So this isn't some biologist's microscope, but a lab exercise to work out the principles. OK!

And now we have some input for the relevant equations !

Now we can gamble safely that the objective lens is the 75 mm one ( but it would have been much better if you had offered that voluntarily in the problem description :wink:).

Then I can understand your answer to the (b) (?) part.

But not what you do for (c). What is your ##d_{O'}## ?
(Or better: post your work, clearly, step by step :smile:)

##\ ##
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

My ##d_{O'}## for is the real image formed by objective lens. I use that virtual object for the eyepiece.

##\frac{1}{26} + \frac{1}{dI'} = \frac{1}{15}##
##d_{I'} = 35 cm##

Many thanks!
 
ChiralSuperfields said:
My ##d_{O'}## for is the real image formed by objective lens. I use that virtual object for the eyepiece.

##\frac{1}{26} + \frac{1}{dI'} = \frac{1}{15}##
##d_{I'} = 35 cm##
How come you think this image is formed at a distance of 26 cm from the eyepiece ?

##\ ##
 
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BvU said:
How come you think this image is formed at a distance of 26 cm from the eyepiece ?

##\ ##
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

True, that might be a mistake. I guess 26 cm is the distance from the real image from the objective lens not the eyepiece so I guess the distance to the real image from the eyepiece should be ##34 - 26 = 8 cm## this gives
the finial image to be - 17 cm from the objective lens.

Many thanks!
 
  • #10
We are getting there, step by step :smile:

A remark about accuracy: you have input with 2 to 2½ digit accuracy. You want to do your calculations with at least that and only round off properly at the end. So NOT ##d_{O'} = 8 ## cm but 8.355 and then ##d_{I'} = -18.86 ## cm, so you get -18.9 cm, not -17 !

So: what's the performance of your 'microscope' ?

##\ ##
 
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  • #11
BvU said:
We are getting there, step by step :smile:

A remark about accuracy: you have input with 2 to 2½ digit accuracy. You want to do your calculations with at least that and only round off properly at the end. So NOT ##d_{O'} = 8 ## cm but 8.355 and then ##d_{I'} = -18.86 ## cm, so you get -18.9 cm, not -17 !

So: what's the performance of your 'microscope' ?

##\ ##
Thank you for your help @BvU!

Sorry, what do you mean by performance of the microscope?

Many thanks!
 
  • #12
Magnification :smile:
 
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  • #13
BvU said:
Magnification :smile:
Thank you for your help @BvU!
For the total magnification I get ##-2.4 \times 2.4 = -5.8## which means that it must be an enlarged and inverted image

Many thanks!
 

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