APPLYING
PRACTICES
Constructing Ray Diagrams
To locate and describe the image formed by a lens or a mirror, you can construct a ray diagram or
use thin lens and mirror equations. You will find detailed ray diagrams and both equations in your
textbook
Convex Lens
1. Construct a ray diagram to determine the approximate location and size of the image formed
by the convex lens.
2. In the example above, the object is 6.0 cm tall and is 12.0 cm from the lens. The focal length
of the lens is 8.0 cm. Use the thin lens equation to obtain numerical information about the
image distance and image size.
Applying Practices • Constructing Ray Diagrams
1
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Concave Mirror
3. Construct a ray diagram to determine the approximate location and size of the image formed
by the concave mirror.
4. In the example above, the object is 2.0 cm tall and is 6.0 cm from the mirror. The focal length
of the mirror is 2.0 cm. Use the mirror equation to obtain numerical information about the
image distance and image size.
Applying Practices • Constructing Ray Diagrams
2
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.