Yes, magnification can be negative.
Magnification describes the size and orientation of an image relative to the original object. A negative magnification indicates that the image is inverted (upside down) compared to the object. It does not mean the image is smaller than zero or has a "negative size". It simply indicates the image is flipped vertically.
Understanding Magnification
Magnification is calculated as:
Magnification (M) = Image Height (Hi) / Object Height (Ho)
Therefore, if the image is inverted, its height is considered negative (Hi < 0), resulting in a negative magnification value. The object height (Ho) is typically considered positive.
Examples of Negative Magnification
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Concave Mirrors: As referenced, a concave mirror can produce real and inverted images, leading to negative magnification. This occurs when the object is placed beyond the focal point of the mirror.
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Lenses: Similarly, lenses can also create inverted images, resulting in negative magnification.
Significance of the Sign
The sign of the magnification tells us about the image's orientation:
- Positive Magnification: The image is upright (same orientation as the object).
- Negative Magnification: The image is inverted (upside down relative to the object).
The magnitude of the magnification (absolute value) tells us how much larger or smaller the image is compared to the object:
- |M| > 1: Image is larger than the object (magnified).
- |M| < 1: Image is smaller than the object (minified).
- |M| = 1: Image is the same size as the object.
