1. What is the Thin Lens Equation?

The thin lens equation relates the focal length of a lens to the distances of the object and the image from the lens. It's a fundamental equation in geometric optics that helps determine image formation by lenses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the thin lens equation:

Where:

• \( f \) — Focal length of the lens (units)
• \( d_o \) — Object distance from lens (units)
• \( d_i \) — Image distance from lens (units)

Explanation: The equation shows the reciprocal relationship between the focal length and the sum of reciprocals of object and image distances.

3. Importance of Thin Lens Calculation

Details: Understanding image formation through lenses is crucial for designing optical systems like cameras, eyeglasses, microscopes, and telescopes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter focal length and object distance in consistent units. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will solve for the image distance.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What sign convention does this use?
A: This calculator uses the real-is-positive convention where distances are positive for real objects and images.

Q2: What if I get a negative image distance?
A: A negative result indicates a virtual image formed on the same side as the object.

Q3: Does this work for both convex and concave lenses?
A: Yes, but remember focal length is positive for converging (convex) lenses and negative for diverging (concave) lenses.

Q4: What are typical units for these measurements?
A: Common units are centimeters or meters, but any consistent unit can be used.

Q5: How accurate is the thin lens approximation?
A: It works well for thin lenses where thickness is small compared to focal length and object/image distances.