6.3.3 Magnification

Magnification

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When an object is magnified, a virtual image of the object is created that is larger than the object itself. The image is called a magnified virtual image.

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For magnification to occur, the object must be closer to the lens than the principal focus.

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You can calculate how much the image has been magnified (increased size) using the following formula:

magnification=image size/object size

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Magnification is a ratio and so it has no units. If a virtual image has a negative magnification, this means the image is smaller than the object.

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Example: Calculating Image Size Using Magnification A flower is measured to be 3 cm tall. A magnifying glass with a magnification of 44 is used to view the flower. How tall does the flower appear to be? [2 marks]

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Magnification equation:

magnification=image/size

Rearrange to find the image size:

Image size magnification × object size = 4×3 cm

= 12 cm

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