Lenses in Optics

Types of Lenses

The lens classification depends on how the light rays bend when they pass through the lens. The two main types of lenses are:

• Convex Lens (Converging)
• Concave Lens (Diverging)

Convex lenses are thick in the middle and thinner at the edges. A concave lens is flat in the middle and thicker at the edges. A convex lens is also known as the converging lens as the light rays bend inwards and converge at a point which is known as focal length. On the other hand, the concave lens is also known as a diverging lens because it bends the parallel light rays outward and diverges them at the focal point.

Simple lens and compound lens are the two classifications of lenses. Simple lenses are different from compound lenses based on their surface of curvature. Following are the different types of simple lenses.

Compound lenses are those constructed out of a combination of different simple lenses. The lens types used to build a compound lens may have different refractive indices and other properties. The placement of lenses are such that they lie on a single axis, and properties like focal length are calculated again for the new compound lens.

Other Lens Types are:

• Cylindrical – curvature in one direction
• Fresnel – narrow ring-like surface
• Lenticular – a group of micro-lenses
• Gradient Index – flat surfaces but with varying refractive indices
• Axicon – conical surface

Interested to learn more about the lens, below are the links:

• Optics
• Biconvex Lens
• Uses of Concave Lens

What if we need to find out the exact position of an image with respect to the lens’ position? Do we need to draw a diagram every time? This video defines the Lens Formula, Magnification and Power for lenses and how simple math can be used to make life easy. It also expands on concepts taught in previous classes and defines the power of a lens.

Read More: Types of Lenses

Applications Of Lens

What do magnifying lenses, your eye, and binoculars have in common? They all use convex lenses. And have any of you wondered why people look so weird when seeing them through a peephole? That’s because the glass used there isn’t a normal one. It is a concave lens. Convex lenses are used to correct farsighted vision problems.

Similarly, concave lenses are used to correct nearsightedness. Compound microscopes and telescopes use both convex and concave lenses. Using combinations of convex lenses may create blurry images. A concave eyepiece is used to correct this problem. Even in cameras, at times, a combination of concave and convex lenses is used. The use of concave lenses is essential in lasers. The actual light ray is particular, which may damage equipment where it is used (like CDs and scanners). The diverging lens rectifies this issue. Concave lenses also apply in flashlights where the light beam diverges for broader coverage.

Read More: Convex Lenses

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is optics?

Optics is a discipline of physics that deals with the properties and behaviour of light, including its interplay with matter and the creation of devices that use it. In other words, optics explains the behaviour of infrared, visible and ultraviolet light.

Q2

What is a lens?

A lense is a transmissive device that disperses or focuses light beams by refraction.

Q3

What are the main two types of lenses?

Concave lenses and convex lenses are the main two types of lenses.

Q4

What is the main difference between a lens and a mirror?

The main difference between a lens and a mirror is that light rays are refracted through a lens while mirrors reflect or bounce back light rays.

Q5

What are the important uses of lenses?

Lenses are used in imaging tools like cameras, binoculars, and telescopes. They are also extensively used for correcting vision defects such as hypermetropia and myopia.

Watch the video and understand the concepts of Lens Formula, Magnification and Power of Lens Class 10

Learn about lenses and their real-life applications with experienced tutors here at BYJU’S.