What Does the Negative Sign Indicate in the Mo Formula on HyperPhysics?

In summary, the negative sign in the Mo formula on HyperPhysics indicates the direction of the force acting on an electron in a magnetic field. It is used to show whether the force is in the opposite or same direction as the direction of the magnetic field. The formula, μ = -e/2m * B, uses the negative sign to represent the negative charge of an electron and the direction of the magnetic field. It is an important factor in understanding the behavior of electrons in a magnetic field and is a key concept in the study of electromagnetism.
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Homework Statement


At this site http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/micros.html , what does the negative sign indicate in the Mo formula?


Homework Equations


On website


The Attempt at a Solution


My guess is that either L or Fo are negative, but a negative magnification makes no sense, so basically it is a substitute for a modulus. Note: negative magnification could not possibly mean the image is diminished, because a diminished image simply has a magnification of less than 1 but greater than 0.
 
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  • #2
It may be because of the sign convention. Here the object and image are in the opposite direction of the axis.
 
  • #3
I don't believe either measurement qualifies as virtual
 

1. What is a compound microscope?

A compound microscope is an optical instrument that uses multiple lenses to magnify small objects or organisms. It is commonly used in scientific research, medical diagnostics, and educational settings.

2. How does a compound microscope work?

A compound microscope uses two or more lenses to magnify an image. The objective lens, located close to the specimen, produces a magnified real image. The eyepiece lens, located near the viewer's eye, further magnifies the image. The combination of these lenses allows for greater magnification and resolution than a single lens microscope.

3. What are the parts of a compound microscope?

The main parts of a compound microscope include the eyepiece, objective lenses, stage, and light source. The eyepiece is where the viewer looks through to see the magnified image. The objective lenses are located close to the specimen and range in magnification from 4x to 100x. The stage is where the specimen is placed for viewing. The light source, usually a built-in bulb, provides illumination for the specimen.

4. What are the different types of compound microscopes?

There are several types of compound microscopes, including brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence microscopes. Brightfield microscopes use white light to illuminate the specimen and produce a bright image against a dark background. Darkfield microscopes use oblique lighting to produce a bright image against a dark background, making it useful for viewing transparent or unstained specimens. Phase contrast microscopes use phase shifts in light to enhance contrast and produce detailed images of transparent specimens. Fluorescence microscopes use ultraviolet light to excite fluorescent molecules in a specimen, producing a highly detailed and colorful image.

5. What are the limitations of a compound microscope?

Although compound microscopes are powerful tools for magnifying small objects, they do have limitations. These include a limited depth of field, which means only a small portion of the specimen can be in focus at a time, and a limited field of view, which means only a small area of the specimen can be seen at once. Additionally, the quality of the image can be affected by factors such as the quality of the lenses, the amount of light, and the type of specimen being viewed.

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