What does a convex lens commonly do to light rays?

What does a convex lens commonly do to light rays?

• A. It scatters them
• B. It focuses them to a point
• C. It reflects them perfectly
• D. It disperses them equally

Answer: (B)

A convex lens is designed to converge light rays that pass through it. When parallel light rays strike a convex lens, the curvature of the lens causes these rays to bend inward toward a common point known as the focal point. This is due to the refraction of light as it passes from one medium (air) into another (the lens material) and back into air. This focusing ability is what allows convex lenses to be used in various applications, such as magnifying glasses, cameras, and corrective lenses for hyperopia (farsightedness). The specific shape of the convex lens (thicker at the center than at the edges) is key to this focusing action, leading to the formation of a real image on the opposite side of the lens. In contrast, scattering, reflecting, and dispersing light are actions attributed to different optical elements. Scattering typically refers to light being dispersed in various directions, reflecting involves bouncing light off a surface, and dispersing involves separating light into its component colors, as seen in prisms. None of these actions correspond to the primary function of a convex lens, which is to focus light rays.

A convex lens is designed to converge light rays that pass through it. When parallel light rays strike a convex lens, the curvature of the lens causes these rays to bend inward toward a common point known as the focal point. This is due to the refraction of light as it passes from one medium (air) into another (the lens material) and back into air.

This focusing ability is what allows convex lenses to be used in various applications, such as magnifying glasses, cameras, and corrective lenses for hyperopia (farsightedness). The specific shape of the convex lens (thicker at the center than at the edges) is key to this focusing action, leading to the formation of a real image on the opposite side of the lens.

In contrast, scattering, reflecting, and dispersing light are actions attributed to different optical elements. Scattering typically refers to light being dispersed in various directions, reflecting involves bouncing light off a surface, and dispersing involves separating light into its component colors, as seen in prisms. None of these actions correspond to the primary function of a convex lens, which is to focus light rays.