Lenses

Diverging Lenses

In contrast to converging lenses, diverging lens always refract the light away from the axis. They always form virtual images on the back side of the lens, as viewed by the observer.

This demonstration shows the refraction of light (shown in blue) by a diverging lens. You may move either the lens or the object by 'click and drag' using the left mouse button. Since the lens forms a vitual image, then the extrapolation of the light rays to the image are shown in pink. (If the picture becomes scrambled, click here to reset.)