What does a concave lens do to light rays?

What does a concave lens do to light rays?

• A. Create a real image
• B. Diverge away
• C. Converge to a focal point
• D. Reflect light

Answer: (B)

Light rays through a concave lens spread apart, or diverge. The lens is thinner in the center than at the edges, so as rays pass through it they bend outward, making parallel rays appear to originate from a virtual focal point on the same side of the lens. That divergence means the lens doesn’t form a real, converging image by itself; instead, it usually produces a virtual, upright image. It also doesn’t reflect light—that would be something a mirror does. So the correct idea is that a concave lens causes light to diverge.

Light rays through a concave lens spread apart, or diverge. The lens is thinner in the center than at the edges, so as rays pass through it they bend outward, making parallel rays appear to originate from a virtual focal point on the same side of the lens. That divergence means the lens doesn’t form a real, converging image by itself; instead, it usually produces a virtual, upright image. It also doesn’t reflect light—that would be something a mirror does. So the correct idea is that a concave lens causes light to diverge.