1. What is Lens Magnification?

Lens magnification (m) is a measure of how much larger or smaller an image appears compared to the object itself. It's defined as the ratio of the image distance to the object distance, with a negative sign indicating an inverted image.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the lens magnification equation:

Where:

• \( d_i \) — Image distance from lens (m)
• \( d_o \) — Object distance from lens (m)
• \( m \) — Magnification (dimensionless)

Explanation: The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted relative to the object. A magnification greater than 1 means the image is larger than the object, while less than 1 means it's smaller.

3. Importance of Magnification Calculation

Details: Understanding magnification is crucial in optical system design, photography, microscopy, and vision correction. It helps determine image size, orientation, and quality.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both image distance and object distance in meters. The object distance must be non-zero. Positive distances are for real objects/images, negative for virtual.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does negative magnification mean?
A: Negative magnification indicates the image is inverted relative to the object.

Q2: What does magnification less than 1 mean?
A: A magnification between 0 and 1 means the image is smaller than the object (minified).

Q3: What if the magnification is greater than 1?
A: Magnification greater than 1 means the image is larger than the object (magnified).

Q4: How does this relate to focal length?
A: The lens equation (1/f = 1/di + 1/do) relates focal length to object and image distances, which then determines magnification.

Q5: What about for compound lens systems?
A: For multiple lenses, the total magnification is the product of the magnifications of each individual lens.