What is the difference between a concave and convex lens.

Question

Vedantu Content Team · Accepted Answer

Hint: We know that a lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (elements), usually arranged along a common axis. The two laws followed by a beam of light traversing through two media are: The incident ray refracted ray, and the normal to the interface of two media at the point of incidence all lie on the same plane. The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is a constant.Complete step by step answerThe difference between the concave and convex lens are given below:BASICSCONVEX LENSCONCAVE LENSOther namesA convex lens is called as'converging lens' or 'positive lens'.A concave lens is called a 'Diverging lens' or 'Negative lens.Light raysWhen light passes through the lens, it bends the light rays towards each other.The concave lens spreads out the light when it passes through the lens. An image cannot form on a screen in this case.StructureThis lens is thick at the center as compared to the edge. It helps to magnify the things and make them look bigger.A concave lens is exactly opposite to a convex lens. It is thin at the centerand thick at the edge.Parallel raysAs the parallel rays converge, the convex lens is termed as aconverging lens.Similarly, a concave lens is called diverging lenses because they cause parallel rays to diverge.Curvature The convex lens is curved towards the inside.The concave lens is curved towards the outside.UseIt is used to correct longsightedness or hypermetropia.It is used to correct short-sightedness or myopia.For instanceThe human eye, camera, telescope, microscope etc. are some examples of the convex lens.Lights, flashlights, laser, binocular etc. are the examples of the concave lens.Focal lengthIt is called a positive lens because of its positive focal length nature.The concave lens is called a negative lens because of its negative length nature.Note: It can be said that in physics, refraction is the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another or from a gradual change in the medium. Refraction of light is the most commonly observed phenomenon, but other waves such as sound waves and water waves also experience refraction. Reflection involves a change in direction of waves when they bounce off a barrier. Refraction of waves involves a change in the direction of waves as they pass from one medium to another. Refraction is an effect that occurs when a light wave, incident at an angle away from the normal, passes a boundary from one medium into another in which there is a change in velocity of the light. Light is refracted when it crosses the interface from air into glass in which it moves more slowly.

BASICS	CONVEX LENS	CONCAVE LENS
Other names	A convex lens is called as'converging lens' or 'positive lens'.	A concave lens is called a 'Diverging lens' or 'Negative lens.
Light rays	When light passes through the lens, it bends the light rays towards each other.	The concave lens spreads out the light when it passes through the lens. An image cannot form on a screen in this case.
Structure	This lens is thick at the center as compared to the edge. It helps to magnify the things and make them look bigger.	A concave lens is exactly opposite to a convex lens. It is thin at the centerand thick at the edge.
Parallel rays	As the parallel rays converge, the convex lens is termed as aconverging lens.	Similarly, a concave lens is called diverging lenses because they cause parallel rays to diverge.
Curvature	The convex lens is curved towards the inside.	The concave lens is curved towards the outside.
Use	It is used to correct longsightedness or hypermetropia.	It is used to correct short-sightedness or myopia.
For instance	The human eye, camera, telescope, microscope etc. are some examples of the convex lens.	Lights, flashlights, laser, binocular etc. are the examples of the concave lens.
Focal length	It is called a positive lens because of its positive focal length nature.	The concave lens is called a negative lens because of its negative length nature.

What is the difference between a concave and convex lens.

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