AQA GCSE Magnification and lenses (Physics)

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Magnification

Magnification is the number of times larger or smaller an image appears, compared to the original object size.

Magnification formula. Magnification = Image height divided by object height. Formulae triangle included.

Key points

1.Make sure that the image height and the object height are both in the same units. 

2. If the magnification is:

MagnificationImage to object sizeResult
Greater than 1Image larger than objectObject magnified to form a larger image
Equal to 1Image same size as objectSame size
Less than 1Image smaller than objectObject is diminished in size to form a smaller image

In the image below, the convex lens is forming a real image of an object that is larger than the object and inverted. 

Each square is 1cm x 1cm. 

The object height is 3 squares, 3cm.(horizontal line to top of blue arrow)

The image height is 6 squares, 6cm(horizontal line to bottom of green arrow). 

Convex lens being used to show an example of magnification. The image is 6cm and object 3cm, so the magnification is x2
Magnification calculation

Practice Question

1.State the formula to calculate magnification

2. Describe what is meant by the term magnification

3. If a magnification of 0.8 is calculated, would the image be smaller or larger than the original object?

4. Sarah measured her image height as 0.15m and her object height as 7.5cm. Calculate her magnification

5. On the grid below each box is 1cm x 1cm. 

Magnification question using a concave lens

5a. In the image above, each box is 1cm x 1cm. Calculate the magnification.

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