Optics - Find the location of object

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A concave mirror with a focal length of 30 cm is used in conjunction with water, acting as a plano-convex lens, to achieve a magnification of 2. The focal length of the combined system is calculated using the formula for mirrors and lenses, leading to a focal length of -22.5 cm. The object distance is derived from the magnification equation, resulting in an incorrect initial value of -135/4 cm. Participants in the discussion express uncertainty about the accuracy of the provided answer of 67.5 cm, suggesting it may be incorrect based on their calculations. The conversation highlights the potential for errors in textbook solutions and the importance of verifying calculations.
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Homework Statement


A concave mirror of focal length 30 cm is placed on the flat horizontal surface with its concave side up. Water with refractive index 1.33 is poured into the lens. Where should an object be placed if its image is to be captured on a screen with a magnification of 2.

Ans: 67.5 cm


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I have attached a sketch of the given problem. I assume that the downward direction is positive.

The water poured acts as a plano-convex lens. The lens with the concave mirror acts a mirror and the focal length (##f_e##) of this combination is given by:
$$\frac{1}{f_e}=\frac{1}{f_m}-\frac{2}{f_L}$$
where ##f_m## is the focal length of mirror and ##f_L## is focal length of lens.

Calculating focal length of lens:
$$\frac{1}{f_L}=\left(\frac{4}{3}-1\right)\left(\frac{1}{\infty}-\frac{1}{R}\right)$$
where R is the radius of the convex part of lens and I have also approximated 1.33 as 4/3.
Also ##R=2f_m##, hence
$$\frac{1}{f_L}=-\frac{1}{6f_m}$$
Therefore,
$$\frac{1}{f_e}=\frac{4}{3f_m}$$
Since ##f_m=-30\, cm##, ##f_e=-90/4 \, cm##.
The given combination works like a concave mirror. As the image is to be captured on a screen, the image must be real and hence the magnification (m) is -2. For a mirror,
$$m=\frac{-v}{u} \Rightarrow -2=\frac{-v}{u} \Rightarrow v=2u$$
where v is the image distance and u is the object distance from the combination.
$$\frac{1}{v}+\frac{1}{u}=\frac{1}{f_e} \Rightarrow \frac{3}{2u}=\frac{-4}{90}$$
Solving for u gives u=-135/4 cm which is wrong.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 

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You have chosen a distance positive if it is behind the mirror. The object is put in front of the mirror, and the final image is also in front of the mirror. It would have more sense to take these distances positive.

As for the absolute value of u, I got exactly the same result as you.

ehild
 
ehild said:
As for the absolute value of u, I got exactly the same result as you.

ehild

Does this mean that the given answer is wrong?
 
I am not sure, but it might be wrong.

ehild
 
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ehild said:
I am not sure, but it might be wrong.

ehild

I am sure you are right, I have often seen wrong answers in the book I am using.

Thanks for the check ehild! :smile:
 
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