The physics
The thin lens equation links three distances: focal length (the lens's strength), object distance, and where the sharp image forms.
Magnifying glass: object 5 cm from a 10 cm lens
Answer: image distance = -10 cm (magnification 2 ×).
What we know
- Focal length: 10 cm
- Object distance: 5 cm
A negative image distance means a virtual image on the same side as the object — what you see through a magnifier.
Step by step
- Given
- Focal length = 10 cm, Object distance = 5 cm
- Formula
- 1/f = 1/dₒ + 1/dᵢ
- Result
- Image distance = -10 cm
All results
| Image distance | -10 cm |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 2 × |
Open the lens equation calculator with these numbers → and change any of them.