Ray Diagrams for Convex and Concave Lenses
This section is crucial for understanding how light interacts with different types of lenses—specifically, convex and concave lenses. Ray diagrams offer a visual tool for predicting the behaviors of rays of light as they refract through lenses.
Key Points:
- Ray Construction Rules:
- A ray parallel to the principal axis will either pass through the principal focus (F) after passing through a convex lens or appear to diverge from the focus when using a concave lens.
- A ray passing through the optical center (O) of the lens travels straight without deviation.
- A ray passing through the focus will emerge parallel to the principal axis.
Understanding these rules aids in effectively drawing ray diagrams, which can illustrate the location, size, and nature of the images formed by either type of lens. This section serves as a foundational building block to explore further image formation and applications of lenses.