A convex lens or converging lens focuses the light rays to a specific point, whereas a concave lens or diverging lens diverges the light rays. A lens is a transparent material (either curved or flat surface) based on the principles of refraction. Concave lenses and convex lenses are often used together which is known as the Concave – Convex lens. When these lenses are combined, they produce sharper images. Most eyeglass lenses use combinations of convex and concave lenses. Cameras, telescopes and microscopes use different lenses, helping us to see the world in a better way.
Read More: Concave lenses and Convex lenses
| Appearance | A concave lens is thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges. | A convex lens is thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges. |
| Also known as | It is also known as Diverging Lens | It is also known as Converging Lens |
| Application | Used in glasses, some telescopes, spy holes in the doors, etc. It is also used for the correction of the problem in short sight | Used in the camera, overhead projector, projector microscope, simple telescope, magnifying glasses, etc. It is also used for the correction of the problem in long sight. |
| Focal Length | Negative Focal Length | Positive Focal Length |
| Incident Rays | It diverges the incident rays away from the principal axis. | It converges the incident rays towards the principal axis. |
| Type of Image Formed | The image formed is an upright, virtual, and smaller size than the object. The position of the image formed is in between the lens and the object regardless of the object’s position | The image formed is inverted, real and smaller than the object when the object is placed at focus. The image formed is the inverted, real, and the same size as the object when the object is placed at 2F. The image formed is inverted, real and larger than the object when the object is placed between 2F and F. Image is formed at infinity when the object is placed at the focus.. The image formed is upright, virtual, and larger than the object when the object is placed on the same side of the lens. |
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