Optics: Thin Lenses - Determining Focal Length

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the focal length of a thin lens using given parameters related to a magnifying glass and an object. The original poster presents a scenario involving an image that appears twice the size and is located at a distance of 3.0 cm from the lens.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply lens equations to find the focal length but questions their understanding of the image distance and its implications. Other participants suggest reconsidering the interpretation of the distance and the nature of the image being virtual or real.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations and interpretations. Some have offered insights that may lead to a clearer understanding of the problem, particularly regarding the definitions of object and image distances in the context of the lens equations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted ambiguity regarding the interpretation of the distance of 3.0 cm, whether it refers to the object or the image, and how this affects the calculations. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding the nature of virtual versus real images in lens systems.

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Homework Statement



In the photo (which I cannot post now, but it is a magnifying glass, and a dollar bill) the images through the lens appears twice the size and it is at a distance of 3.0cm from the lens of the magnifying glass. Determine focal length.

Homework Equations



1. -di/do=m
2. 1/f=1/di+1/do


The Attempt at a Solution



Since twice the size m will be 2. Using equation 1:

di=-m*do
= -2*3.00cm
= -6.00cm

This makes sense since image is upright and virtual, and in lenses virtual images are negative.

When I calculate focal length,

1/f=1/-6+1/3
f=6

But this answer is wrong the answer is 3. What am I doing wrong or what do I not understand?

Thanks!
 
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genevievelily said:

Homework Statement



In the photo...the images through the lens appears twice the size and it is at a distance of 3.0cm from the lens of the magnifying glass. Determine focal length.

Perhaps the word "it" here refers to the image rather than the object.
 
The answer is clearly wrong. If the object was placed on the suggested focal point, 3 cm, the image would be real and located at infinity.
 
You will get the right answer if you interpret the distance of 3.0 cm as the magnitude of the distance from the lens to the image.
 

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