An object of length 5 cm is placed perpendicular to the principal axis (f = 30 cm) at 20 cm from its optic centre. Find the image length and its properties.

Question image

Understand the Problem

The question asks for the image length and its properties for an object placed perpendicular to the principal axis of a lens. We need to apply the lens formula and magnification principles to find the image characteristics.

Answer

The image length is $3 \, \text{cm}$.
Answer for screen readers

The image length is $3 , \text{cm}$.

Steps to Solve

  1. Identify Given Information

    We have the following values:

    • Object length ($h_o = 5 , \text{cm}$)
    • Distance from the optical center ($u = -20 , \text{cm}$; negative because it's measured against the direction of the incident light)
    • Focal length of the lens ($f = 30 , \text{cm}$)
  2. Apply the Lens Formula

    The lens formula is given by: $$ \frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{u} $$

    Substituting the known values: $$ \frac{1}{30} = \frac{1}{v} - \frac{1}{-20} $$

  3. Rearranging the Lens Formula

    Rearranging the equation to isolate $v$: $$ \frac{1}{v} = \frac{1}{30} + \frac{1}{20} $$

  4. Finding Common Denominator and Simplifying

    The common denominator for 30 and 20 is 60: $$ \frac{1}{v} = \frac{2}{60} + \frac{3}{60} = \frac{5}{60} $$

    Thus: $$ v = \frac{60}{5} = 12 , \text{cm} $$

  5. Calculate the Magnification

    The magnification ($m$) is given by: $$ m = -\frac{v}{u} = -\frac{12}{-20} = \frac{12}{20} = \frac{3}{5} $$

  6. Find Image Length

    The image length ($h_i$) can be calculated using: $$ h_i = m \times h_o = \frac{3}{5} \times 5 , \text{cm} = 3 , \text{cm} $$

The image length is $3 , \text{cm}$.

More Information

The image formed by a lens can vary in size depending on the object distance and focal length. Since this object is placed farther away than the focal length, a real, inverted, and smaller image is formed.

Tips

  • Using the wrong sign for the object distance. Remember that the object distance ($u$) is taken as negative in lens formulas.
  • Forgetting to calculate magnification before determining the size of the image.

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