Science Secrets · Drawing 12 of 40
A Leaf Gets Bigger
Light and Sound
A magnifying glass can make this leaf look larger. Its curved lens changes light’s direction. At the right distance, you can see small details more clearly.
Did you know?
The leaf does not grow: its image changes.
Look together
Which details of the leaf would you examine?
An idea to try
With an adult, look at a leaf with a magnifying glass in the shade. Gently change the distance to find a clear image.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
A converging lens gives an enlarged virtual image when the object is sufficiently close. This activity stays in shade; a magnifying glass can concentrate sunlight.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified scene and shapes. Models, imagined comparisons and enlargements do not preserve all real measurements.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Exploratorium: Bend Light With a LensA magnifying glass can make this leaf look larger. Its curved lens changes light’s direction. At the right distance, you can see small details more clearly.
Source review: 2026-10-12. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
