Magnification (Oxford AQA IGCSE Physics)

Magnification

• The magnification produced by a lens may be calculated using the equation:

• This equation can be rearranged with the help of a formula triangle:

Formula triangle for magnification

• The magnification of a lens depends on:

  • The distance of an object from the lens

  • The power of the lens

• Magnification is a ratio and has no units

  • Both the object and image must be measured in the same units

  • For example, both in cm, or both in mm

• If the magnification is:

  • > 1, then the image is magnified

  • = 1, then the object and image are the same size

  • < 1, then the image is diminished