Lens ray diagrams with a spreadsheet. (19th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: González, Manuel I
• Is Part Of: Physics education. Volume 53:Number 3(2018:May)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-19
• Subjects: Physics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Periodicals; 530.0712
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/aaacb7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9120

Abstract

Abstract: Physicists create spreadsheets customarily to carry out numerical calculations and to display their results in a meaningful, nice-looking way. Spreadsheets can also be used to display a vivid geometrical model of a physical system. This statement is illustrated with an example taken from geometrical optics: images formed by a thin lens. A careful mixture of standard Excel functions allows to display a realistic automated ray diagram. The suggested spreadsheet is intended as an auxiliary didactic tool for instructors who wish to teach their students to create their own ray diagrams.