Real Images and Thin Lenses: Can You Explain the Postulation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of light as it passes through thin lenses, specifically addressing the concept of image formation and the relationship between virtual and real images. Participants are exploring the implications of a postulation regarding how the image formed by the first surface of a lens acts as the object for the second surface.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the validity of the postulation regarding image formation when the first image is real, seeking proof or clarification. Other participants discuss the simplification of thin lenses as a single refractive effect and introduce the concept of thick lenses, suggesting different modeling approaches.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the modeling of both thin and thick lenses. Some guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of thick lenses and the concept of nodal points, but there is no explicit consensus on the original postulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about lens behavior and the definitions of image types, with some noting the complexity introduced by thick lenses compared to thin lenses.

Gear300
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I was reading a bit on thin lenses when a postulation was made that the image formed from the first surface would be the object for the second. The postulation made sense for when the first image is virtual, but I don't see how it works when the first image is real? Can anyone provide me the proper proof for this?
 
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...o_o...
 
With thin lenses you don't normally consider the two surfaces - you just have a single plane refractive effect.
 
what about cases with thick lenses?
 
...o_o...
 
You can model a thick lens by tracing the ray across the first surface through the body of the lens and across the second surface. YOu might have to do this for very thick lenses or odd setups. You can model combinations of thick lenses in a similair way to thin lenses - you just have to have a slightly different definition of the lens's position - eg nodal points.
 
I see...makes more sense now
 

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