Lenses

A lens is a piece of transparent material, usually glass or plastic, that is used to refract (bend) light. Lenses are used in many optical devices, including eyeglasses, cameras, microscopes, and telescopes. There are two main types of lenses: convex (or converging) lenses and concave (or diverging) lenses.

Convex Lenses

Convex lenses are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges. When light passes through a convex lens, it is bent inward, converging at a point known as the focal point. Convex lenses are used to focus light and create real or virtual images.

Concave Lenses

Concave lenses are thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges. When light passes through a concave lens, it is bent outward, diverging away from a focal point. Concave lenses are used to spread out light and create virtual images.

Study Guide

1. What are the two main types of lenses?
2. Describe the structure of a convex lens.
3. Explain how light is refracted by a convex lens.
4. What is the focal point of a convex lens?
5. How are convex lenses used in optical devices?
6. Describe the structure of a concave lens.
7. Explain how light is refracted by a concave lens.
8. What is the focal point of a concave lens?
9. How are concave lenses used in optical devices?

Understanding the properties and applications of lenses is essential for various fields, including physics, optics, and biology.

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