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The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench
written by Tom Henderson
This interactive from The Physics Classroom provides learners with a virtual optics bench for exploring images formed by mirrors and lenses. Select either a converging or diverging lens shape and choose from a candle, an arrow, or a stack of letters as the object. Object height and location can be easily adjusted, along with the focal length of the lens. Drag the object back and forth along the principal axis and observe how the position, size, and orientation of the image changes. Values of height and image distance are automatically displayed in real time. The simulation is also linked to correlating tutorials, labs, and problem sets created by the same author.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-a...
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Practices
- Technology
= Multimedia
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
= Refraction - Flat Surfaces
= Refractive Index
- High School
- Middle School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Informal Education
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- Educators
- General Publics
- text/html
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Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2014 Tom Henderson, ThePhysicsClassroom.com
Use is restricted to online usage through live internet connection. Downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) is prohibited.
Keywords:
converging lens, diverging lens, focal point, ray model of light, ray optics
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created October 28, 2021 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
October 28, 2021 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
October 15, 2021
Other Collections:

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)
  • The path that light travels can be traced as straight lines, except at surfaces between different transparent materials (e.g., air and water, air and glass) where the light path bends. (6-8)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Structure and Function (K-12)
  • Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the shapes, composition, and relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function. (6-8)
  • Investigating or designing new systems or structures requires a detailed examination of the properties of different materials, the structures of different components, and connections of components to reveal its function and/or solve a problem. (9-12)
Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems (1-12)
  • Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation. (6-8)
  • Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent. (9-12)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)
  • Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to extending quantitative analysis to investigations, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic statistical techniques of data and error analysis. (6-8)
    • Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena. (6-8)
  • Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)
    • Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution. (9-12)
Developing and Using Models (K-12)
  • Modeling in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to using, synthesizing, and developing models to predict and show relationships among variables between systems and their components in the natural and designed worlds. (9-12)
    • Use a model to provide mechanistic accounts of phenomena. (9-12)
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
T. Henderson, (2014), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Henderson, The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench (2014), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench>.
APA Format
Henderson, T. (2021, October 15). The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench
Chicago Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench. October 15, 2021. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench (accessed 1 May 2025).
MLA Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench. 2014. 15 Oct. 2021. 1 May 2025 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Tom Henderson", Title = {The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {October 15, 2021}, Year = {2014} }
Refer Export Format

%A Tom Henderson %T The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench %D October 15, 2021 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D October 15, 2021 %T The Physics Classroom Interactive: Optics Bench %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 October 15, 2021 %9 text/html %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Refraction-and-Lenses/Optics-Bench


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

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