How to Use the Magnification Calculator
- Enter the object distance (do) in centimeters. This is the distance from the object to the lens or mirror.
- Enter the image distance (di) in centimeters. This is the distance from the image to the lens or mirror.
- Click the "Calculate" button to calculate the magnification and determine if the image is virtual or real.
- The calculator will display the magnification value and whether the image formed is virtual (upright) or real (inverted).
Magnification Formula
The magnification (m) of an image formed by a lens or mirror is calculated using the formula:
m = -di/do
Where:
- m = Magnification
- di = Image distance
- do = Object distance
Understanding the Results
The magnification value tells you how much larger or smaller the image is compared to the object:
- If |m| > 1, the image is magnified
- If |m| < 1, the image is reduced
- If m > 0, the image is upright (virtual)
- If m < 0, the image is inverted (real)
Example
For example, if an object is placed 20 cm in front of a lens and the image forms 40 cm behind the lens:
- Object distance (do) = 20 cm
- Image distance (di) = 40 cm
- Magnification = -40/20 = -2
- Result: The image is magnified 2 times and formed as a real, inverted image.