======Convex Lens Mirror Imaging======


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**Alternative titles:** Convex Lens and Concave Mirror Imaging, Refractors and Reflectors Demonstration
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Place an object such as a candle, toy, or light source in front of a blank screen. Show that its light alone does not create a clear image on the screen.  
  - Hold a convex lens between the object and the screen. Move the lens back and forth until a sharp, inverted image appears on the screen.  
  - Replace the lens with a concave mirror, adjusting the distance between the mirror and the screen until the image comes into focus.  
  - Compare the two methods: the lens refracts light to a focus, while the mirror reflects light to a focus.  
  - Conclude by noting that telescopes use the same principles: refractors with lenses, reflectors with mirrors.



====Links==== 
image Formation by a Lens or Mirror - Jeff Regester: 
{{youtube>v5IS88SgDRU?}}\\

Using a convex lens to produce a real image - Simon Lloyd: 
{{youtube>ilXX-WT3jpQ?}}\\

📄 The Art of Projection: How Convex Lens Enhance Projectors - Science Simplified: [[https://explerify.com/the-art-of-projection-how-convex-lenses-enhance-projectors/]]\\

====Variations====
  * Try using different focal length lenses to see how image size and distance change.  
  * Demonstrate with multiple objects at different distances to explore focusing limits.  
  * Show how a magnifying glass (a convex lens) can project an image of a window scene onto paper.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Never use the lens or mirror to focus sunlight—it can cause eye injury or start a fire.  
  * Handle glass lenses and mirrors carefully to avoid breakage and sharp edges.  
  * Supervise younger students closely during demonstrations.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why doesn’t light from an object form an image on a screen without a lens or mirror? (Because the rays spread out in all directions and do not converge to a focus.)  
  * Why is the image formed by a convex lens or concave mirror inverted? (Light rays crossing at the focal point flip the image upside down.)  
  * How do refracting and reflecting telescopes differ? (Refractors use lenses to bend light; reflectors use mirrors to focus light.)  
  * Which type of telescope can be made larger in practice, and why? (Reflectors—large mirrors are easier to construct and support than very large lenses.)