Thin Lenses: Parallel Lasers and Lenses

PIRA 6A60.20 - Thin Lenses: Parallel Lasers

Instructions / Notes:

Two parallel lasers can be aimed toward a converging or a diverging lens.
Room lights have to be very dim or off for the demonstration to be visible.
Demo cart should be placed as close to the chalkboard as possible.
Turn on the lasers and use rectangular prisms in front of and behind a lens to make the beams visible..
The focal lengths are marked on the lenses.
Photo below has been enhanced and shows how small this demo is. - Students at the rear of your class will have trouble seeing this demonstration. You may wish to warn them ahead of time.

Photo Show the Demo Apparatus Used at the University of Texas at Austin.