A Magnifying Discovery

Introduction

Have you ever looked through a magnifying lens? Why does an object look different when you look at it through the magnifying lens? Even though the object appears to get larger or smaller, it really stays the same size. Each lens has its own unique power of magnification; how powerful is your lens?

Credits

Materials

• Large magnifying glass with a sturdy handle
• Scotch® tape
• Wax paper or other non-stick surface
• Permanent marker
• Ruler, 30-cm-long
• Scissors
• Optional: Pipe cleaners (2); plastic or paper drinking straws work, too.
• Chunk of clay
• Low table or floor on which you can place a piece of clay
• Small objects to measure (penny, typed or printed alphabet letter—especially a "p" or other asymmetric letter, bean, an eraser, etc.)
• Pencil
• Lab notebook