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written by Michael Davidson, Mortimer Abramowitz, Kenneth R. Spring, and Matthew J. Parry-Hill
published by the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This is an introductory tutorial on simple lenses and the geometry involved in tracing light rays through lenses.  It explores basic lens structure, convergence and divergence, optical distortion, and common aberrations in lens systems.  Also included are more than a dozen interactive Java applets that simulate a variety of lenses and optical aberrations.  This item is part of a larger collection of materials on optics and microscopy developed by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University.

Please note that this resource requires Java.
Editor's Note: This collection would serve as an excellent supplement to a unit on light refraction or lenses. Great way for kids to play investigate lens properties prior to a lab.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
= Optical Instruments
= Thin Lens
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
= Tutorial
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Activity
- New teachers
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Intended User:
Learner
Formats:
application/java
text/html
Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2002 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Keywords:
Simulations, aberration, bi-convex lens, converging lens, diverging lens, lenses, optics, ray diagram, thin lens, tutorial
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created April 28, 2008 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
March 26, 2014 by Caroline Hall
Last Update
when Cataloged:
June 15, 2010
Other Collections:

ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
M. Davidson, M. Abramowitz, K. Spring, and M. Parry-Hill, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2002), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Davidson, M. Abramowitz, K. Spring, and M. Parry-Hill, Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2002), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html>.
APA Format
Davidson, M., Abramowitz, M., Spring, K., & Parry-Hill, M. (2010, June 15). Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html
Chicago Format
Davidson, M, M. Abramowitz, K. Spring, and M. Parry-Hill. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., June 15, 2010. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html (accessed 19 March 2025).
MLA Format
Davidson, Michael, Mortimer Abramowitz, Kenneth R. Spring, and Matthew J. Parry-Hill. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 2002. 15 June 2010. 19 Mar. 2025 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson and Mortimer Abramowitz and Kenneth R. Spring and Matthew J. Parry-Hill", Title = {Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics}, Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {19 March 2025}, Month = {June 15, 2010}, Year = {2002} }
Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %A Mortimer Abramowitz %A Kenneth R. Spring %A Matthew J. Parry-Hill %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics %D June 15, 2010 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Abramowitz, Mortimer %A Spring, Kenneth R. %A Parry-Hill, Matthew J. %D June 15, 2010 %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Lenses and Geometrical Optics %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 19 March 2025 %8 June 15, 2010 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/lenseshome.html


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