Virtual images from converging and diverging lenses
I can describe the formation of virtual images by converging and diverging lenses and draw ray diagrams to find the size and position of the image.
Virtual images from converging and diverging lenses
I can describe the formation of virtual images by converging and diverging lenses and draw ray diagrams to find the size and position of the image.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When rays of light are brought to a focus a real image forms. A real image can be projected onto a screen.
- Virtual images occur at points where rays appear to (but do not actually) originate from. They cannot form on a screen.
- The size and position of a virtual image is found by drawing virtual rays to find where rays appear to originate from.
- Upright virtual images are produced by diverging lenses, and objects within a focal length of a converging lens.
- Converging lenses fix long sight by shortening the focus. Diverging lenses fix short sight by lengthening the focus.
Keywords
Principal axis - The principal axis is a line through the centre of a lens, 90° to the optical axis of the lens.
Principal focus - The principal focus for a converging lens is the point to which rays parallel to the principal axis are focused. For a divgerging lens it is the point from which such rays appear to be diverged.
Real image - When rays of light are brought to a focus a real image forms. A real image can be projected onto a screen.
Virtual image - Virtual images occur at points where rays appear to (but do not actually) originate from. They cannot form on a screen.
Virtual ray - Virtual rays are dashed lines drawn to represent where rays of light appear to have come from.
Common misconception
Real images always or only form on screens, or a screen is necessary to observe a real image.
Be clear that real images can form on screens, but can also be observed without a screen. Demonstrate looking through a convex lens (e.g. a magnifying glass) at a diminished, inverted real image of a distant object.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
smaller than the object
upside-down (compared with the object)
larger than the object
the same way up as the object
Exit quiz
6 Questions
