PhET Simulation: Geometric Optics, Lenses and Mirrors

In this guided inquiry two part lab your students will investigate how an image is formed by four different optical instruments: a convex lens, a concave lens, a convex mirror and a concave mirror.

In Part 1 students will investigate (1) how the characteristics of the image change as the object is brought closer to each of the lenses and mirrors, (2) the similarities and differences in image formation for each of the lenses and mirrors and (3) the meaning of the points F and 2F for the convex lenses and concave mirrors.

In Part 2 students will draw the ray diagrams for each of the lenses and mirrors and take a more detailed look at the image characteristics for each object location. By the end of Part 2, if they are given the object location they will be able to state (1) the image location relative to points F and 2F, (2) the size of the image relative to the object size, (3) the image orientation and (4) the image type.

For this online lab activity your students will use one of the simulations from PhET Interactive Simulations. The simulation is called Geometric Optics (HTML5). The link for the simulation can be found inside the resource.

PhET Interactive Simulations incorporate research based, student centered activities that are fun and easy to use. All of the PhET simulations are available from their website: PhET Interactive Simulations. This PhET online simulation can be done in the classroom or during distance learning.

This product includes:
(1) The lab activity worksheets.
(2) An answer key for the worksheets.