Near Point Distance of 25cm, how far should object be?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a magnifier with a specified magnification of 9× and the distance at which an object should be held to see its image at a near-point distance of 25 cm. The participants are exploring the relationship between object distance and image distance in the context of optics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the magnification formula and question the calculations related to object distance. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between object distance and image distance, with some participants suggesting potential errors in the original poster's calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing different interpretations of the magnification concept and questioning the assumptions made regarding the type of magnification being used. Some guidance has been offered regarding the calculations, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the definitions of magnification and the setup of the optical system, including the positioning of the eye relative to the lens. Participants are also considering the implications of area magnification versus linear magnification.

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Homework Statement


A magnifier has a magnification of

How far from the lens should an object be held so that its image is seen at the near-point distance of 25 cm?
Assume that your eye is immediately behind the lens.

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Homework Equations


M = Di/Do

M = 9
Di = 25 cm
Do = ?

The Attempt at a Solution


I thought this problem would be straight forward. Just solve for Do so I ended up with Do = Di / M
Do = 25 cm / 9 which i i though equals 2.8 cm. But it is wrong. Where am i messing up?
 
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No, it's 0.36. Based on your equation . . .

M = Di / Do
9 = 25 / Do
9/25 = Do
0.36 = Do

Just a small math error. You should remember to check your work. Instead of Do = Di / M, it is Do = M / Di
 
ProfuselyQuarky said:
9 = 25 / Do
9/25 = Do
The second equation would be 9/25 = 1/Do.
Easy to see if you work with units, your result has inverse centimeters instead of centimeters, it cannot be right.

How does the magnifier work if the eye is directly behind the lens? Do you have a sketch?
 
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ProfuselyQuarky said:
No, it's 0.36. Based on your equation . . .

M = Di / Do
9 = 25 / Do
9/25 = Do
0.36 = Do

Just a small math error. You should remember to check your work. Instead of Do = Di / M, it is Do = M / Di
This makes no sense at all to me.

As far as the OP is concerned, I agree with that calculation. If it is the wrong answer, I can only guess that 9x might refer to the area magnification rather than the linear magnification.
 
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mfb said:
The second equation would be 9/25 = 1/Do.
Easy to see if you work with units, your result has inverse centimeters instead of centimeters, it cannot be right.

How does the magnifier work if the eye is directly behind the lens? Do you have a sketch?
Ah, okay, I see where I went wrong. I see where the OP is confused now, but now I'm confused, too.
ProfuselyQuarky said:
You should remember to check your work.
I should really listen to my own reproach. My apologies; I've had a really awful week.

Okay, so now I agree with the OP's calculations. I don't know why it's wrong.
 
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I'm always putting my foot in it, especially with errors like that. It's often easier to see other's errors than your own.

Having looked a bit further into this, I see there is a further possibility. The idea of area magnification does not seem to be common, so I'll leave that for now. But the magnification achieved by a lens does depend on where you hold the object and form the image.
The maximum mag is achieved when the image is at the near point and the object is nearer than f. That is the situation we are looking at here.
But "normal adjustment" of an optical instrument assumes the image is at ∞ and the object at f. This is supposed to be the most comfortable position, but gives a lower magnification.

Maybe, they are defining magnification at normal adjustment and asking us to find out the focal length, then use this to calculate the object distance for maximum magnification. (There is actually a simpler procedure, since it turns out that MNP = M + 1)
The magnification in normal adjustment, when the object is held at f, is
##M = \frac{\ angle\ subtended\ by\ the\ image\ }{\ angle\ subtended\ by\ object\ at\ closest\ viewing\ point\ }##

##M = \frac{\ the\ angle\ subtended\ by\ the\ object\ when\ at\ f\ }{\ the\ angle\ subtended\ by\ the\ object\ when\ at\ the\ NP\ }##

##M = \frac{ h}{f}## / ## \frac{h}{25cm}## = ##\frac{25cm}{f}##

Since this is a HW Q, I'll pause there. You can look these formulae up on Hyperphysics or somewhere, or ask for further explanation as you choose.
 

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