Lenses converging and diverging flashcards

What is a converging lens?

A lens that bends light rays inward, focusing them to a point.

What is a diverging lens?

A lens that spreads light rays outward, causing them to diverge.

True or false: Converging lenses are thicker in the middle.

True, because they have a positive focal length.

Difference between convex and concave lenses.

Convex lenses are converging; concave lenses are diverging.

Fill in the blank: The focal point of a lens is where __________.

light rays converge or appear to diverge.

What happens to parallel rays in a converging lens?

They converge at the focal point.

Characteristics of diverging lenses:

- Always virtual images - Smaller than the object - Located on the same side as the object

Which type of lens is used in magnifying glasses?

A converging (convex) lens is used for magnification.

What is the focal length of a lens?

Distance from the lens to the focal point, denoted as $\displaystyle f$.

True or false: Diverging lenses have a negative focal length.

True, because light rays appear to diverge from a virtual focal point.

Image formation by converging lenses:

Can produce real or virtual images depending on object position.

What is a real image?

An image formed where light rays actually converge, can be projected.

Which lens is used in glasses for nearsightedness?

A diverging (concave) lens is used.

Fill in the blank: Lenses refract light based on __________.

the curvature and material of the lens.