Optics - Angular Magnification

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the angular magnification of a compound microscope with specified focal lengths for the eyepiece and objective lenses, as well as their separation distance. The context is optics, specifically focusing on magnification principles in a microscope setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between total magnification and angular magnification, with attempts to clarify the use of the near point in calculations. Questions arise about how to compute lateral magnification and the roles of the two lenses in the system.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants refining their understanding of the problem and exploring different aspects of magnification. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationships between various types of magnification, though no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations needed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of the near point and the separation distance between the lenses, while also questioning which measurements are relevant for calculating lateral magnification. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity introduced by the two-lens system.

Hyperfluxe
Messages
35
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The eyepiece of a compound microscope has a focal length of 2.50 cm and the objective has a focal length of 1.5 cm. The two lenses are separated by 17 cm. The microscope is used by a person with normal eyes (near point at 25 cm). What is the angular magnification of the microscope?

a) 283 x
b) 145 x
c) 97 x
d) 113 x
e) 242 x


Homework Equations


Angular Magnification = Near point / f (eye piece) = 25cm / f (eye piece)

Total magnification = 25cm(s1') / (f1f2)



The Attempt at a Solution


At first, I just thought it was asking for total magnification and got 113x, which is wrong. I know that the angular magnification is 25 / f (eye piece) so 25/2.5? Clearly not right. Perhaps I need to use the object-image formula (1/s + 1/s' = 1/f) to derive more information, but I'm not sure how. Help would be appreciated =)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why did you use 25cm for the near-point in the formula?
How may the other two measurements be used?

Do you know how the total magnification is related to the angular magnification?
 
I used 25cm because that is the normal near point, and it says it in the problem statement. The total magnification = angular magnification * lateral magnification, where lateral magnification = s1'/s1
Since I know that the total magnification is 113.333 (as calculated in my original post), I just have to divide by the lateral magnification to get the angular magnification. I don't know which measurements to use for lateral magnification though...
 
Hyperfluxe said:
I used 25cm because that is the normal near point, and it says it in the problem statement.
<checks> Oh so it does - well done ;)
The total magnification = angular magnification * lateral magnification, where lateral magnification = s1'/s1
Since I know that the total magnification is 113.333 (as calculated in my original post), I just have to divide by the lateral magnification to get the angular magnification. I don't know which measurements to use for lateral magnification though...
How would you normally compute the lateral magnification in a system of two lenses?
 
Simon Bridge said:
How would you normally compute the lateral magnification in a system of two lenses?

Using the object-image relation formula (1/s + 1/s' = 1/f), the image from the first lens becomes the object of the second lens. I tried doing that, but I'm not sure which lens acts as the object, and would the first object distance be 17cm?
 
You are doing well - see how these questions refine the problem by stages?
Which lens gets the light from the actual object first?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K