Which lens converges light to a focal point?

Which lens converges light to a focal point?

• A. Plane mirror
• B. Concave lens
• C. Convex lens
• D. Plane lens

Answer: (C)

Light can be bent by lenses, and the shape of the lens determines how it bends. A convex lens is curved outward and acts as a converging lens. It takes parallel rays (like sunlight) and bends them inward so they meet at a single point on the other side—the focal point. This is why you can focus sunlight with a magnifying glass or form a real image from distant objects with a magnifying glass. A plane mirror simply reflects light, so it doesn’t bring rays to a focus. A concave lens makes light spread apart (diverge) rather than meet, creating a virtual focal point on the same side as the incoming light. A plane lens (a flat surface) wouldn’t converge rays to a focal point either. Therefore, the convex lens is the one that converges light to a focal point.

Light can be bent by lenses, and the shape of the lens determines how it bends. A convex lens is curved outward and acts as a converging lens. It takes parallel rays (like sunlight) and bends them inward so they meet at a single point on the other side—the focal point. This is why you can focus sunlight with a magnifying glass or form a real image from distant objects with a magnifying glass.

A plane mirror simply reflects light, so it doesn’t bring rays to a focus. A concave lens makes light spread apart (diverge) rather than meet, creating a virtual focal point on the same side as the incoming light. A plane lens (a flat surface) wouldn’t converge rays to a focal point either. Therefore, the convex lens is the one that converges light to a focal point.