Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A symmetric biconvex lens of glass with refractive index has a focal length of in air. A workshop cuts it in two along a plane at right angles to its axis, through the middle of its thickness. One piece is then silvered on its flat, cut face, and light is sent in through its curved face. Find the radius of curvature of each face of the original lens, the focal length of one piece, and the focal length of the equivalent mirror made by the silvered piece. A point object stands in front of the curved face. Find the image distance.
A lens with one silvered face acts as a mirror of power . A plane face has and a silvered curved face has . For the mirror, with and positive in front. A lens cut across keeps in each piece.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. and .
Plan. We find from the whole lens. A piece has half the power. A silvered flat face then doubles the power again.
Step 1. The radius. For a symmetric lens . We want , so .
Step 2. One piece. The piece has a flat face and a curved face of radius . , so , twice the focal length of the whole lens.
Step 3. The mirror. The light crosses the piece twice and the flat mirror has no power: . So .
Step 4. The image. , so in front. The magnification is .
Answer: , , and .
Check. The silvered piece has the same focal length as the original lens, , but now it is a mirror.
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