Refraction and Magnification

Magnification is like using a magic glass to make tiny things look bigger, or distant stars seem just a stone's throw away! It's all about making the unseen seen, by enlarging the appearance of objects with the help of lenses, without changing their actual size. On the flip side, refraction is the wizardry that bends light when it hops from air into water, making things look wobbly in a pool. It's the reason we can focus on the words in a book and why the stars twinkle at night. Together, magnification and refraction bring the wonders of the tiny and the far-away right before our eyes! 

During this session, equipped with a set of lenses and a laser, participants will explore the phenomenon of refraction, which occurs when light passes through these optical wonders. By conducting experiments with convex and concave lenses, participants will gain insights into key optical concepts such as focal length, image formation, and magnification. Additionally, they will observe how lenses manipulate light to produce either larger or smaller images. Through this exploration, participants will appreciate the significance of magnification in various optical devices, including eyeglasses, microscopes, telescopes, and cameras. 

Excitingly, this activity can also be replicated at home! Grab a handheld magnifying glass or even a cup of water. Imagine you have a small, printed text or an insect specimen. Hold the magnifying glass close to the object, ensuring that the convex side faces the object. Adjust the distance between the lens and the object until you observe a clear, enlarged image.