Relating Image Distance and Image Height

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the thin lens equation, specifically the relationship between image distance and image height. The equation 1/s + 1/s' = 1/f, where s is the object distance, s' is the image distance, and f is the focal length, cannot be directly substituted with image heights. Instead, the relationship between height (h) and image height (h') is established through transverse magnification, defined as M_T = y_i/y_0 = -s_i/s_0, which arises from the properties of similar triangles in geometrical optics.

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Regarding the thin lens equation,

1/s + 1/s' = 1/f

where s= distance of object from lens, s' = distance of image from lens, and f=focal length, can h and h' (h = height of object and h' = image height) be substituted from s and s'? I know the values are related through similar triangles, I am just not positive that they can be substituted in this equation. Could anyone shed some light on this being a valid substitution?
 
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You can't replace image distances with image heights in the thin lens equation but they are related by transverse magnification.

M_T = \frac{y_i}{y_0} = -\frac{s_i}{s_0}

This occurs because in geometrical optics they both form sides of similar right triangles.
 

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