How the Simulation Works
This simulation demonstrates the behavior of a thin concave lens. Concave lenses are thinner at the center and cause parallel light rays to diverge (spread out). The dashed lines show the **virtual rays** tracing back to the focal point (F), which is where the diverged light appears to come from.
- Ray Mode:Choose between a parallel beam of light, a single adjustable ray, or a point source.
- Focal Length:Adjust this slider to change the lens's power. A shorter focal length creates a more curved lens that diverges light more sharply.
- Lens Position:This slider moves the lens horizontally. You can also click and drag the lens directly on the canvas.
- Keyboard Controls:Use arrow keys to move the lens, hold Shift for faster movement.
Physics Concepts
Understanding concave lenses is fundamental in optics. These diverging lenses have negative focal lengths and create virtual images that appear on the same side as the object. The simulation helps visualize key concepts like:
- Light ray divergence after passing through the lens
- Virtual focal points and ray tracing
- The relationship between focal length and lens curvature
- How different ray configurations interact with the lens