How do you calculate magnification in optics?

To calculate magnification in optics, divide the image size by the object size.

Magnification is a measure of how much larger an image appears compared to the object being viewed. It is calculated by dividing the size of the image by the size of the object. In optics, this is typically done using lenses or mirrors.

To calculate magnification using lenses, the formula is M = -di/do, where M is the magnification, di is the image distance, and do is the object distance. The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted compared to the object.

For mirrors, the formula is M = hi/ho, where hi is the height of the image and ho is the height of the object. This formula applies to both concave and convex mirrors.

It is important to note that magnification is a unitless quantity, meaning it has no physical units. It is simply a ratio of sizes. Magnification can also be expressed as a percentage by multiplying the ratio by 100%.

In addition to calculating magnification, it is also important to consider the focal length of the lens or mirror being used. The focal length determines the amount of bending that occurs and therefore affects the size and position of the image.