How does magnifying power change for an objective lens if the focal length of the objective lens is increased?
Correct Answer :
The microscope will decrease but for the telescope, it will increase
Solution :
The correct option is: "The microscope will decrease but for the telescope, it will increase".
To understand why this is correct, let us analyze the formulas for the magnifying power of both a compound microscope and an astronomical telescope, and see how they depend on the focal length of the objective lens ().
1. Magnifying Power of a Microscope:
The magnifying power () of a compound microscope is given by the relation:
where:
- is the length of the microscope tube,
- is the least distance of distinct vision,
- is the focal length of the objective lens,
- is the focal length of the eyepiece lens.
From this equation, we can see that the magnifying power of a microscope is inversely proportional to the focal length of the objective lens:
Therefore, if the focal length of the objective lens () is increased, the magnifying power of the microscope will decrease.
2. Magnifying Power of a Telescope:
The magnifying power () of an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment is given by the relation:
where:
- is the focal length of the objective lens,
- is the focal length of the eyepiece lens.
From this equation, we can see that the magnifying power of a telescope is directly proportional to the focal length of the objective lens:
Therefore, if the focal length of the objective lens () is increased, the magnifying power of the telescope will increase.
Conclusion:
When the focal length of the objective lens is increased, the magnifying power of the microscope decreases, while the magnifying power of the telescope increases.
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