Magnification

When something is magnified, it is referred to as magnification. A larger apparent size is not the same as a larger physical size, as it refers to a dramatic increase in visual magnificence. The increase in visual magnificence can be quantified using a magnifying lens.

Under magnification, it is important to consider how an object magnifies in comparison with its actual size. We will examine this concept of magnification and find out how the concept is used in different types of lenses.

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By magnifying, we enlarge something’s apparent size, not its actual size. Magnification also refers to the number, which indicates the extent of the enlargement. A size reduction is sometimes called demagnification or minification when the number is less than one.

Magnification is done using lenses. There are two types of magnifying instruments: microscopes (used for larger objects) and telescopes (used for distant objects).

The formulas and tools used in both are different. Microscopical magnification allows us to study the structure and composition of objects near us. Telescopic lenses, on the other hand, magnify objects such as stars, planets, etc.

Types of Magnification lenses

Magnification lenses can be divided into two types:

Simple lenses

Compound lenses

Simple Lenses:

A simple lens is used to magnify objects. We also use a simple lens to read newspapers and magnify things in front of us when we want to see them up close. In addition to that, they have the least power (magnification strength), ranging from 2x (two times) to 6x (six times).

With these, the object appears twice as big as it really is. Another example of a simple lens is a magnifying glass or a pair of glasses (spectacles). They, however, produce low-quality images.

Compound lenses:

Even though compound and simple lenses both magnify objects, their magnifying powers differ. A compound lens can magnify objects with a higher degree of clarity and projects a clearer image than a simple lens.

A simple example can illustrate this. If you have someone move 5 feet closer to you, and he is standing 5 feet away from you, then this is simple magnification. It would be compound magnification, however, if the same person came closer six times.

Compound lenses are mainly used in microscopes and telescopes. They also focus by using multiple lenses. Apart from that, they can magnify objects four times, 10 times, 40 times, 100 times, and 400 times.

Formula of Magnification

Magnification is defined as the ratio between the height of the object and the height of the image. Additionally, the letter ‘m’ indicates the magnification of the object. Its formula is as follows:

Magnification (m) = h / h’

In this case, h is the height of the object, while h’ is the height of its image.

Further, it should also be considered in relation to the image distance and the object distance. As a result, it could be written as:

                                                        m = -v / u

In this case, u represents the distance to the object, and v represents the distance to the image.

In this way, an expression of magnification would be:

                                                   m = h’ / h = -v / u

Types of Magnification

• Linear Magnification- This type of magnification is measured in planes perpendicular to the optical axis and is called linear (also called lateral or transverse). Linear magnifications that are negative signify an inverted image.
• Angular Magnification- When measured from a particular point in the instrument, a measurement of the angle subtended by an object and its image is known as angular magnification. There are binoculars and magnifiers for this purpose.

Uses of Magnification

• It performs the same function as a simple magnifier but removes aberrations from the image.

• By magnifying the object behind it, water drops act as a magnifier. Surface tension causes water to form spherical droplets. The spherical shape of the droplet becomes distorted when it is in contact with an object.

Spherical mirror formula

This Spherical Mirror formula analyses the relationship between the focal length of a spherical mirror and the object distance (u) and the image distance (v). The distance between an object and the pole of the mirror is indicated by the letter u. The distance between an image and a mirror’s pole is indicated by the letter v.

In all mirrors, the focal length is measured from the pole of the mirror to the principal focus. In mathematics, the mirror formula is an expression that indicates the relationship between these three quantities. It is given as follows:

                                                          1/u+1/v = 1/f

Magnification by spherical mirrors

Spherical mirrors create a larger image than the original object due to the increase in size produced by their spherical reflections. This is measured by dividing the height of the image by the height of the object. This is how spherical mirrors can be represented by their magnification, m:

                                                            M = h/h’

Where,

• h is the height of the image

• h’ is the height of the object

The ratio of image distance to object distance is also the same as Magnification.

                                                            M = v/u

A positive height exists for objects that are always above their principal axes. There are, however, variations in the height sign for images depending on the type of image formed. Real images need to be taken negatively, while virtual images need to be taken positively.

Conclusion

Within a limited range of the electromagnetic spectrum, the retina (inner eye) of the human has been programmed by nature to detect electromagnetic waves. A wavelength ranging from 400 nanometers to 750 nanometers is considered to be light, which refers to electromagnetic radiation of this wavelength region. We learn and interpret the world around us primarily through light and vision. When something is magnified, it is referred to as magnification. A larger apparent size is not the same as a larger physical size, since it refers to a dramatic increase in visual magnificence. The increase in visual magnificence can be quantified.