Convex vs Concave Lens: Ray Diagrams and Roles A convex lens is curved outward, like the lens on a camera. It bends light rays away from each other, caus...
A convex lens is curved outward, like the lens on a camera. It bends light rays away from each other, causing them to converge at a single point. The focal point is located beyond the lens.
Concave lens: is curved inward, like the lens on a magnifying glass. Light rays are bent towards each other, causing them to converge at a single point. The focal point is located inside the lens.
Ray diagram: is a graphical representation of the light rays passing through the lens. It helps us understand the focal point and how light is bent by the lens.
Role of convex lens:
Converging light: Light rays from a point object are focused at a single point on the other side of the lens.
Virtual image: The image is formed on the same side of the lens as the object, behind the lens.
Real object distance: The object distance (do) is greater than the focal length (f) of the lens.
Virtual image distance: The image distance (di) is also greater than the focal length.
Role of concave lens:
Diverging light: Light rays from a point object are focused at a single point on the other side of the lens.
Virtual image: The image is formed on the same side of the lens as the object, ahead of the lens.
Real object distance: The object distance is less than the focal length of the lens.
Virtual image distance: The image distance is also less than the focal length.
Remember: The focal length (f) of a lens is the distance between the lens and its focal point. Positive focal length means the lens is convex, and negative focal length means the lens is concave