PhET Geometric Optics HTML5

home » Website Detail Page

Detail Page

published by the PhET

This simulation, recently rewritten to HTML5, lets students investigate the properties of converging and diverging lenses. Choose from 5 objects: pencil, penguin, star, planet, and lightbulb, then position your object on the principal axis. Use tools to change the radius of curvature, refractive index, and diameter of the lens. Focal point, lines of convergence or divergence, and virtual images are displayed on screen. Measure the focal point with the ruler tool. Switch from Lens to Mirror to investigate properties of reflection.

This resource is part of a large collection of simulations freely available from the University of Colorado.

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geomet...

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Optics - Geometrical Optics = Reflection - Curved Surfaces = Refraction - Flat Surfaces = Refractive Index	- High School - Middle School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners - Educators - General Publics	- text/html	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2020 PHET and University of Colorado
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: Refraction, comvergent lens, concave lens, convex lens, image, marginal ray, principal ray, ray diagrams, real image, virtual image
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created November 2, 2021 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: November 2, 2021 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: August 31, 2021
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

Post a new comment on this item

Next Generation Science Standards

Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (MS-PS4)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)

Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. (MS-PS4-2)

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)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to developing, using and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems. (6-8)
- Develop and use a model to describe phenomena. (6-8)
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)
- Develop and use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system. (9-12)

NGSS Nature of Science Standards (K-12)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to developing, using and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems. (6-8)
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)

ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=15813">PhET. PhET Geometric Optics HTML5. Boulder: PhET, August 31, 2021.</a>

AIP Format

(PhET, Boulder, 2020), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET Geometric Optics HTML5 (PhET, Boulder, 2020), <https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html>.

APA Format

PhET Geometric Optics HTML5. (2021, August 31). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html

Chicago Format

PhET. PhET Geometric Optics HTML5. Boulder: PhET, August 31, 2021. https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html (accessed 1 May 2025).

MLA Format

PhET Geometric Optics HTML5. Boulder: PhET, 2020. 31 Aug. 2021. 1 May 2025 <https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {PhET Geometric Optics HTML5}, Publisher = {PhET}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {August 31, 2021}, Year = {2020} }

Refer Export Format

%T PhET Geometric Optics HTML5 %D August 31, 2021 %I PhET %C Boulder %U https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D August 31, 2021 %T PhET Geometric Optics HTML5 %I PhET %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 August 31, 2021 %9 text/html %U https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/geometric-optics/latest/geometric-optics_en.html

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.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

Save to my folders