Lenses Lenses are curved surfaces that refract light as it passes through. [
Convex Lenses Thicker in the middle than at the edges Bends light toward the middle. (Focal Point!) [
Can correct farsightedness. [
Convex Lenses Can be used to create magnified virtual images. Object must be less than 1 focal length away [
Convex Lens Ray Diagram Object Distance < 1 focal length away from lens Virtual Image: Magnified & Upright
Convex Lenses Can create real images if the object is > 1 focal length away. [ ObjectReal Image Click for Images Demonstration
Convex Lens Ray Diagram Object Distance > 1 focal length away from lens Real Image: Upside Down (But Size Varies!)
Concave Lenses Thicker on the edges than they are in the middle. Bends light outward (no focal point!) [
Can correct nearsightedness. [
Concave Lenses Creates only a smaller virtual image. [
Concave Lens Ray Diagram Object Located Anywhere Virtual Image: Smaller & Upright