Lenses

A lens is a curved piece of glass or other transparent material that refracts light in a specific way. There are two main types of lenses: convex and concave.

Convex Lenses

A convex lens is thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges. It causes light rays to converge, or come together, at a single point called the focal point. Convex lenses are used in things like magnifying glasses, cameras, and eyeglasses to focus light and form images.

Concave Lenses

A concave lens is thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges. It causes light rays to diverge, or spread apart. Concave lenses are often used in things like eyeglasses for people with nearsightedness to help spread out the light before it enters the eye.

Properties of Lenses

Some important properties of lenses include focal length, which is the distance from the lens to the focal point, and the ability to form real or virtual images.

Study Guide

1. What is a lens?
2. What are the two main types of lenses and how do they differ?
3. Give examples of objects that use convex lenses and concave lenses.
4. What is the focal point of a lens?
5. Explain the properties of lenses.

By understanding the properties and functions of convex and concave lenses, you can appreciate their applications in various optical devices and everyday tools!

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