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Converging & Diverging Lenses

Real imageInverted · magnified · can be caught on a screen
OPTICS BENCHprincipal ray investigationsharp image2FFF′2F′convex lensobjectlight rayback-trace
Thin-lens equation
1f=1v+1u\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u}
Focal length (f)+0.20 m
Object distance (u)0.30 m
Image distance (v)+0.60 m
Magnification×2.00
Converging-lens investigations

Solid raysthe path light actually follows

Dashed raysback-tracing used to locate a virtual image

Ideal thin-lens model. At u = f the outgoing rays are parallel: image distance is infinite and no finite real or virtual image forms.

  • Use the CONVERGING lens with the object beyond its focal length to form a REAL image
  • Switch to the DIVERGING lens and confirm the image is always virtual
  • Put the object INSIDE the focal length of the converging lens — a magnifying glass
  • Form a real image that is SMALLER than the object (object beyond 2f)
  • Confirm a diverging lens image is always DIMINISHED, however close the object gets