Optics Bench - Mirrors and Lenses
The Optics Bench Interactive provides a virtual optics bench for exploring the images formed by mirrors and lenses. The height of the object (either a candle, an arrow or a set of letters) can be easily adjusted. The focal length of the mirror or lens can also be changed. Learners can drag the object back and forth along the principal axis and observe how this position, size and orientation of the image changes. Values of object and image distances and heights are diplayed in the simulation and updated in real time.
Users are encouraged to open the Interactive and explore. For a more guided experience, The Physics Classroom has prepared an activity for use with this Interactive and encourages teachers to use it with their classes.
- Mirrors - Curved Mirror Image Characteristics
- Mirrors - Mathematical Relationships
- Lenses - Converging Lens Activity
Learners and Instructors may also be interested in viewing the accompanying Notes page. Technical information, teaching suggestions, and related resources that complement this Interactive are provided on the Notes page. View Notes.
NEWOur Optics Bench - Mirrors and Lenses simulation is now available with Concept Checkers. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with one of the Concept Checkers.