Magnification

Problems
Refraction and
Lenses
You have learned about how to
draw ray diagrams for converging
(convex) and diverging (concave)
lenses.

Today you will apply a math formula

(the magnification equation) to
describe more specific details about
the images that you are locating.
 The Magnification Equation
Magnification Equation: The Meaning of “M”:
If M < 1, image is smaller than object
If M = 1, image is same size as object
If M > 1, image is bigger than object

For example, observe the ray diagram. Is M going to

be greater than 1, equal to 1, or less than 1 in this
situation?

How would you describe the size of the image (in

terms of SALT)?
 The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?
Magnification (M) – the size of the image compared to the size of the object.
If M is +, the image is upright.
If M is -, the image is inverted.

Learning Check:
What is the sign (+ or -) of M
in the ray diagram shown?
What is the magnitude of M?
(>1, <1, =1)?
Why?
 The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?
Height of the Image (hi) – the size of the image (in mm, cm, or m)
If hi is +, the image is upright.
If hi is -, the image is inverted.

Learning Check:
What is the sign (+ or -) of hi in the
ray diagram shown? How does hi
compare to ho?
 The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?

This is hi
(height of
the image) This is ho
(height of the And the ratio
object) of hi/ho is
Magnification
The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?
Height of the object (ho) – the size of the object (mm, cm, or m).
This variable is always positive (+)
The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?
Distance of the Object to the Lens (do) – How far the object is away from the lens. This variable is always
positive (+)

Learning Check: where is the variable do on this ray diagram?

do
The Magnification Equation: What do the
variables mean?
Distance of the Object to the Lens (di) – How far the image is away from the lens.

If di is +, the image is REAL (and the image will be on the OPPOSITE SIDE from the object)
If di is -, the image is VIRTUAL (and the image will be on the SAME SIDE as the object)

Learning Check: where is the variable di on the ray diagram? What is the sign of di (+ or -)?

di
Predict the sign (+ or -) of hi, ho, di, do, and M. Also
predict the magnitude of M for each ray diagram

Putting it all together

Predict the sign (+ or -) of hi, ho, di, do, and M. Also
predict the magnitude of M for each ray diagram
hi is + (image is upright)
ho is + (ho is always positive. We always consider the
object as upright)
do is + (do is always positive)
di is – (the image is virtual)
M is + (the image is upright)
M < 1 (the image appears smaller than the object)
hi is - (image is inverted)
ho is + (ho is always positive. We always consider the
object as upright)
do is + (do is always positive)
di is + (the image is real)
M is - (the image is inverted)
M > 1 (the image appears larger than the object)
Practice Problem
A teddy bear is 40 cm tall. In a pinhole camera, the inverted image is 8 cm tall. What is the magnification
of the image? Interpret the magnitude and sign of your response.

Take-Up Solution on the Board