stråldiagrame

Stråldiagram, also known as ray diagrams, are simplified graphical representations used in optics to illustrate the path of light rays. They are a fundamental tool for understanding how lenses and mirrors form images. In a stråldiagram, light is depicted as straight lines originating from an object and traveling outwards. These lines, or rays, are shown interacting with optical elements such as lenses or mirrors.

For lenses, key rays include the ray parallel to the principal axis, which refracts through the focal point, and the ray passing through the optical center, which continues undeviated. For mirrors, parallel rays reflect through the focal point, and rays passing through the focal point reflect parallel to the principal axis. The intersection point of these reflected or refracted rays determines the location and nature of the image formed. Stråldiagrammen are crucial for predicting whether an image will be real or virtual, upright or inverted, and magnified or diminished, without requiring complex mathematical calculations. They provide an intuitive visual explanation of optical principles.