Lenses & optics
AQA GCSE Physics revision on Lenses & optics. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Physics 8463 specification. This bank has 7 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 7)
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Question 1
A converging (convex) lens makes parallel rays of light...
- A) Diverge outward
- B) Meet at a single point (the focal point)
- C) Reflect back
- D) Stop
Show answer
Answer: Meet at a single point (the focal point)
Convex (converging) lens: thick in middle, thin at edges. Parallel rays converge to the FOCAL POINT (distance f from lens). Used in: magnifying glasses, eye lenses (cornea + lens), cameras, telescopes, microscopes. Light bends INTO the lens (refraction) at both surfaces.
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Question 2
A concave lens makes parallel rays...
- A) Converge to a point
- B) Diverge outward
- C) Stay parallel
- D) Reflect back
Show answer
Answer: Diverge outward
Concave (diverging) lens: thin in middle, thick at edges. Parallel rays diverge OUT (virtual focal point behind the lens). Used to correct short-sightedness (myopia). Also peepholes - wide view from a small lens.
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Question 3
In a CONVEX lens, an object PLACED beyond 2F gives an image that is...
- A) Same size as object
- B) Smaller, inverted, real
- C) Magnified, upright, virtual
- D) Same size, upright
Show answer
Answer: Smaller, inverted, real
Memorise these CONVEX lens image positions: object < f (between lens and focal point): magnified, upright, VIRTUAL (magnifying glass!). f to 2f: magnified, inverted, real. At 2f: same size, inverted, real. Beyond 2f: smaller, inverted, real (cameras work here). Concave lens always gives smaller, upright, virtual images.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
4 more questions on Lenses & optics — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Physics spec.