SAMPLE PROBLEMS Convex Mirror

1.The image distance is positive, meaning that it is on the same side of the mirror as the object. This agrees with
the ray diagram. Note that we don't need to worry about converting distances to meters; just make sure
everything has the same units, and whatever unit goes into the equation is what comes out.

Calculating the magnification gives:

m = -di/do = -15/30 = -0.5

Solving for the image height gives:

hi = m * ho = -0.5 * 8.0 = -4.0 cm

The negative sign for the magnification, and the image height, tells us that the image is inverted compared to
the object.

To summarize, the image is real, inverted, 4.0 cm high, and 15.0 cm in front of the mirror.

2. The same Star Wars action figure, 8.0 cm tall, is placed 6.0 cm in front of a convex mirror with a focal length
of -12.0 cm. Where is the image in this case, and what are the image characteristics?

Again, the first step is to draw a ray diagram. This should tell you that the image is located behind the mirror;
that it is an upright, virtual image; that it is a little smaller than the object; and that the image is between the
mirror and the focal point.

The second step is to confirm all those observations. The mirror equation gives:

di = do f / (do - f) = 6*(-12)/(6 - -12) = -4.0 cm

Solving for the magnification gives:

m = -di/do = 4.0/6.0 = 2/3

This gives an image height of (2/3) * 8 = 5.3 cm.

All of these results are consistent with the conclusions drawn from the ray diagram. The image is 5.3 cm high,
virtual, upright compared to the object, and 4.0 cm behind the mirror.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS CONCAVE LENS

Problem 1

Joe bought a concave lens having a focal length of -10 cm. He placed a lighted object 30 cm in front of the lens.
Where will the image be formed? What type of image will it be?

Givens:
f = -10 cm
Do = 30 cm
Unknown:
Di = ?
Equation:

1/f = 1/Do + 1/Di

Solve:

1/Di = 1/f - 1/Do = (1 / -10 cm) - 1 / 30 cm = -4 / 30 cm = -0.1333 cm-1

Di = -7.5 cm

The image is upright, reduced and virtual

Problem 2

The image formed by a concave lens for an object 40 cm away is reduced to one fourth its size. What is the
focal length of the lens?

Givens:
Do = 40 cm
Hi = 0.25 Ho
Unknown:

f=?
Equations:

1/f = 1/Do + 1/Di

Hi / Ho = -Di / Do
Solve:

Hi / Ho = 0.25 Ho / Ho = 0.25 = -Di / Do ..... Di = -0.25 Do

Di = -0.25 x 40 cm = -10 cm

1/f = 1/Do + 1/Di = 1/40 cm + 1/-10 cm = -0.075 cm-1

f = -13 cm

SAMPLE PROBLEMS CONVEX LENS

Problem 1:

A convex lens with a focal length of 15 cm is placed 25 cm from a lighted object. At what distance will an
image be formed? Will it be real?

Givens
f = 15 cm
Do = 25 cm

Unknown

Di = ?
Equation

1/f = 1/Do + 1/Di

Solving

1/Di = 1/f - 1/Do = 1/15 cm - 1/25 cm = 0.0267 cm-1

Di = (0.0267 cm-1)-1 = 37.5 cm

Because the object is further from the lens than the focal point, the image will be real. Also notice that the
image distance is a positive one. This means that it is on the other side of the lens and is therefore a real image.
Finally, the image distance is larger than the object distance. Therefore the image is larger than the object.
(Remember that magnification is simply the ratio of image distance to object distance, Hi/Ho.)

Problem 2:

An object is placed 25 cm from a convex lens which has a focal length of 10 cm. At what distance will the
image be formed? Will it be real? Will it be enlarged or reduced in size?

Givens
f = 10 cm
Do = 25 cm

Unknown

Di = ?

Equation

1/f = 1/Do + 1/Di

Solving

1/Di = 1/f - 1/Do = 1/10 cm - 1/25 cm = 0.06 cm-1

Di = (0.06 cm-1)-1 = 16.67 cm

Because the object is further from the lens than the focal point, the image will be real. Also notice that the
image distance is a positive one. This means that it is on the other side of the lens and is therefore a real image.
Finally, the image distance is less than the object distance. Therefore the image is smaller than the object.
(Remember that magnification is simply the ratio of image distance to object distance, Hi/Ho.)