Find the image formed by two

Combinations of lenses
lenses in combination
Image formed by lens 1
p1f1 (30)(10) Image 1
q1 = = = 15cm
p1 − f1 30 − 10 Image 2
• When two lenses are used in combination, from lens 1

the image of the first lens is the object for Image formed by lens 2
the second lens. p2 =20-q1 = 20-15= 5 cm
• The total magnification is the product of p2 f2 (5)(20)
q2 = = = −6.7cm
the magnifications of the first and second p2 − f2 5 − 20
from lens 2
lens. Magnification
⎛ q ⎞⎛ q ⎞ ⎛ 15 ⎞ ⎛ −6.7 ⎞ Inverted
M = M1M2 = ⎜ − 1 ⎟⎜ − 2 ⎟ = ⎜ − ⎟ ⎜ − ⎟ = −0.67 Reduced
⎝ p1 ⎠⎝ p2 ⎠ ⎝ 30 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠

For two lenses in contact the total power is For two lenses in contact the total power is
the sum of powers of the individual lenses the sum of powers of the individual lenses
1 1 1
p q + = 1
+
1 1
= p1 q2
p1 q1 f1 p2 q2 f2
1 1 1
f1 f2 − + = substitute f1 f2
q1 q2 f2
p2 = −q1 q1
1 1 1 Eliminate q1 The image of the first
= + lens is the object for the
f f1 f2 second lens. Virtual object
1 1 1 1 1
+ = + = has a negative sign.

P = P1 + P2 p1 q2 f1 f2 f

Magnifiers
How do we image small objects?

5.2 Optical Instruments • We can image a small object by bringing it close to

our eye.
• Simple magnifier • But we cannot bring it closer than the near point.
(we can’t focus on it).
• Compound microscope
• A magnifier can produce a larger image of the
• Telescope object at the near point (or farther away) that can be
focused on by the eye.

• Key concept - Angular magnification

1
 Angular size Simple Magnifier
A converging lens in combination with the lens of
Not to scale the eye forms an image on the retina from an object
25 cm
closer than the near point of the eye.
unfocused
Ignore the distance
25 cm between the lens and
the eye
θ
h
P
image on
The angle θ increases as p decreases retina
The image size increases

Objects closer than the near point are not in

focus.

How does it work? Angular Magnification

The angular magnification is the ratio of θ for the magnified
Produces an enlarged virtual image at a distance from image compared to value of θo for the object at the near
the eye (from 25 cm to infinity) that the eye can focus on. point of the eye. (25 cm)
θ
m=
θo
h’ 25 cm h’ 25 cm
Magnified
virtual object virtual object
image
θ h
image θ h
• •
q f p f
25 cm
θ Increases Simple Magnifier Unmagnified
h θo

Angular magnification
Angular magnification 25 cm
Simple Magnifier

Magnified object

The angular magnification for the simple θ h

magnifier can have a range of values •

q = -infinity f p
because the focal length of the eye can
vary due to accommodation. 25 cm
Unmagnified
h θo
The simplest case is the magnification for
the relaxed eye. (focused at infinity) for small angles θ≈
h
θo ≈
h
tan θ ~ θ f 25cm
θ 25cm
Angular magnification
m= = f is the focal length
θ0 f of the lens in cm.

2
 Simple magnifier Simple magnifier.
The maximum magnification of a simple magnifier.
A simple magnifier with a focal length of 5.0
The virtual image is at q=-25 cm cm is used to view an insect. What is the
angular magnification for a relaxed eye?
25 cm
object
25cm 25cm
θ m= = = 5.0
h f 5.0cm
•
f p What is the magnification for the accommodated eye?
q=-25 cm

25cm 25cm 25cm

m = 1+ m = 1+ = 1+ =6
f f 5cm

Simple magnifiers. Compound Microscopes.

The angular magnification for a single lens is Magnification by 2 lenses.
limited by aberration to about 4. Objective lens – Produces an enlarged
Combination lenses can have real image of the object.
magnification to about 20. Eyepiece – Used like a simple magnifier to
view the image.
The net angular magnification of the product
of the two magnifications.

Compound microscope Compound microscope

Eyepiece

Objective

Not to scale

The objective lens produces a magnified real image I1

The image is viewed through the eyepiece.

M
a

3
 Two stages of magnification by
1) objective and 2) eyepiece. Total Magnification is the product

Not to scale

The objective lens produces a magnified real image I1

The image is viewed through the eyepiece.
L (25cm)
M q1 L 25cm For relaxed eye m = M1me = −
Moa = − ≈− me = fo fe
p1 fo fe Magnification increases when fe and fe get smaller.

Magnification Refracting Telescope

A compound microscope has an objective Two lenses
lens and eyepiece with a focal lengths of Objective lens – produces a reduced image
1.5 cm and 2.0 cm respectively. The of a distant object near the focal point.
microscope is 20 cm long. Find the
angular magnification Eyepiece – used to magnify the image.

L (25cm) 20 (25cm)
m=− =− = −167
fo fe 1.5 2.0

Angular magnification - ratio of the focal length of Telescope

the objective and the eyepiece
The Hubble space telescope has an
objective mirror with a focal length of 57.8
m viewed with optics equivalent to an
eyepiece with a focal length of 7.2x10-3m
h' What is the angular magnification?
θ=
fe
h' fo 57.8
θo = m= = = 8.0x103
fo fe 7.2x10 −3

θ fo focus at infinity
Angular magnification m= =
θo fe

4
Hubble Telescope Image of M100 Spiral Galaxy (NASA) Limits to magnification
Why can’t we use light microscopes to see atoms?

• For refracting optics there are problems of

chromatic and spherical aberration.
• Problems in precision in constructing the
refracting and reflecting surfaces.
• Diffraction – A basic problems having to
do with the wave nature of light (discussed
next week)