Chapter 27, Problem 16PCE

Predict/Explain Two professors are stranded on a deserted island. Both wear glasses though one is nearsighted and the other is farsighted, (a) Which person’s glasses should be used to focus the rays of the Sun and start a fire? (b) Choose the best explanation from among the following:

1. I.                    A nearsighted person can focus close, so that person s glasses should be used to focus the sunlight on a piece of moss at a distance of a couple inches.
2. II.                 A farsighted person can’t focus close, so the glasses to correct that person’s vision are converging. A converging lens is what you need to concentrate the rays of the Sun.