Ray Diagrams & Images
Construct ray diagrams to show the formation of images by plane mirrors and converging lenses, identifying whether images are real or virtual, magnified or diminished, upright or inverted
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Ray Diagrams & Images means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: A torch or phone light and a blank wall OR a rubber band / ruler for sound; Paper for notes. 1. Say the goal of Ray Diagrams & Images in plain words once. 2. Adult makes one light or sound change (shadow size, or pitch by tightening) and names what changed. 3. Child makes three controlled changes and records what they see or hear. 4. Fresh check: one fresh cause-and-effect observation. Record and stop. Done: three recorded light/sound changes with a cause each. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
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Start practiceRay Diagrams & Images practice
Practice key ideas from Ray Diagrams & Images.
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Learning resources
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PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Wave on a String
Before you open · source notes
Wave on a String supports hands-on exploration for Ray Diagrams & Images. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Wave on a String.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Draws an accurate ray diagram for a plane mirror showing a virtual, upright, same-size image
- Draws a ray diagram for a converging lens to show image formation
- Uses a ray diagram to determine whether the image is real or virtual and which side of the lens it forms
- Applies ray diagram knowledge to explain how glasses, cameras, or projectors work
“If your child was asked to show on a diagram where their reflection appears to be when they look in a mirror, could they draw the correct ray paths and explain whether the image is real or virtual — and where it actually appears to be located?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Representational
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 12–13
Standards