the result of less-than-perfect lens curvature), though correcting these is much more complex and not necessarily a job for a mere concave lens. It is worth noting that aberrations may be also be spherical (i.e. The final image illustrates the result of a such an aberration.

the result of non-uniform refraction of different colors of light), which would otherwise prevent the image produced by a convex lens from converging properly - this is evident in the diagrams below. Specifically, concave lenses correct chromatic aberrations (i.e. This may not sound like the most useful attribute, but they have the added bonus of providing a sharper, clearer image and are therefore immensely handy in compensating for flaws (called 'aberrations') when used in conjunction with convex lenses. Smaller cells can harvest more solar energy through the use of a convex lens, eliminating the need for larger, more expensive cells.Ĭoncave lenses, on the other hand, make any given image appear smaller. Nowadays, this same technology is applied to the concentration of solar energy on solar ('photovoltaic') cells. For this reason, large convex lenses have been used since antiquity as burning-glasses. For this reason, a single convex lens fitted to a frame or handle is called a magnifying glass or magnifying lens.Ĭonvex lenses cause incident light rays to converge, creating a point of greater light intensity (as seen below).

This is because convex lenses magnify images, or make them appear larger. It should come as no surprise to you that convex lenses are much more widely used than concave in day-to-day life. (published on ) Follow-Up #1: Concave and Convex Lenses

That the star we're looking at appears larger so it is easier to see. The lenses in the telescope focus the light from a single star so But we can use a telescope to look at a specific The CD player helps focus the laser onto the disc. A CD player worksīy shining a laser (which is a type of light) onto a disc. Then we can see clearly.Īnother place to find a lens in in a CD player. Glasses put another lens in front of the eye to help focus Isn't shaped quite right, light doesn't focus clearly and it's hard to There is a small lens in each of our eyes. Perhaps the most common lens that we see are the ones in peoples Because focusing light is so important, you can find lenses in many places.

Lenses in physics