Optics & Thin Glass in Liquid: Distance d & Image on Screen

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the optics of a thin glass lens placed in a liquid medium, focusing on the relationship between object distance, image distance, and the effects of the medium's refractive index on image formation. Participants explore how these factors influence the distance at which an image is projected onto a screen.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the formula to describe the relationship between object distance, image distance, and focal length in the context of a lens in a liquid medium.
  • Another participant provides the lens formula and explains how the focal length is affected by the refractive indices of the lens and the medium, noting that the lens can behave differently in various media.
  • There is a question about whether the thickness of the liquid could affect the image on the screen, suggesting that other conditions may also play a role.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the relationship between viscosity and refractive index, indicating that these properties may not be directly related.
  • One participant asks whether the distance x (presumably the distance to the image) will be larger or smaller than d, seeking clarification on this aspect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effects of liquid thickness on image distance or the relationship between viscosity and refractive index. Multiple viewpoints and uncertainties remain regarding these topics.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of sign conventions in calculations related to lens properties, but do not resolve the implications of varying conditions such as liquid thickness or viscosity on image formation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals studying optics, particularly those exploring the effects of different media on lens behavior and image formation.

Numeriprimi
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I have one question about optics because I start interested in it.
If an object is placed a distance p from a thin glass lens (index of refraction n), we can see its image on a screen that is placed a distance d from the lens.
Do you know any formula which can describe this situacion? I found it in Czech internet, but I did not find some good.
However, the most important is this part. Light does not spread in the liquid as well as in the air. So if I take this system to liquid, something will change. We have different conditions...
The distance d isn't same if we want see image on a screen...
Will be larger or smaller? And why? How can I calculate it? Do you know any internet page on this topic, or video with the attempt?

Thanks very much and sorry for my English.
 
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Hello Numeriprimi,

I believe the equation you are looking for is

[itex]\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{d}[/itex]

where [itex]f[/itex] is the focal distance of the lens, and [itex]p[/itex] and [itex]d[/itex] are the object's distance from the lens and the image's distance from the lens, respectively.

As you could expect, [itex]f[/itex] will depend on the the refractive index of the medium, [itex]n_{m}[/itex], and on the refractive index of the glass (of which the lens is made of), [itex]n_{g}[/itex]. The equation that dictates this dependence is

[itex]\frac{1}{f} = ( \frac{n_{g}}{n_{m}} - 1 )( \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}} )[/itex]

being [itex]R_{1}[/itex] and [itex]R_{2}[/itex] the radius of curvature of the two surfaces of the lens.

Let's now suppose that he have a lens with a certain shape, and so [itex]R_{1}[/itex] and [itex]R_{2}[/itex] are fixed. As you can see from the above expression, depending on the ratio between the refactive indices, [itex]\frac{n_{g}}{n_{m}}[/itex], the focal distance can be positive or negative, and this will ultimately determine the behavior of the lens as being convergent or divergent. This is why the same lens can have different properties when placed inside diferent media.

If you want to make some calculations on your own, be careful with the sign conventions! For example, for concave surfaces, the radius of curvature is negative; while for convex surfaces, the radius of curvature is positive. A quick guide to the sign convention of the other variables involved is: http://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physics-ii/light-refraction/convention-lenses.php

I hope this helps!Zag
 
Last edited:
Thanks very much :-)
Are there any other conditions that affect image on a screen? If the liquid is too thick, it can be?
 
Numeriprimi said:
Thanks very much :-)
Are there any other conditions that affect image on a screen? If the liquid is too thick, it can be?

You are welcome!

I am not sure if it would be possible to relate the viscosity of a fluid with its refractive index in a general way. I believe it will really depend on the material of which your fluid is made of since viscosity and refractive index seem to emerge from different phenomena. But I am not sure about that, so I will leave your question to be answered by someone who knows more than me about this topic! ;)Zag
 
And the last - What do you think - x will be bigger then d or smaller? And why?
 

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