Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lens that causes a parallel beam of light to spread out: A diverging lens is a transparent optical device, typically made of glass or plastic, with at least one concave surface. Its primary function is to cause incoming parallel rays of light to bend (refract) away from each other, making them diverge or spread apart.

Usage

• Noun:
  • A diverging lens is used in eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness.
  • In the diagram, the light rays spread out after passing through the diverging lens.
  • The telescope's design incorporates a diverging lens to widen the field of view.

Advanced Usage

• "Negative lens": Another technical term for a diverging lens, referring to its negative focal length.
  • A negative lens, or diverging lens, has a virtual focal point from which light appears to originate.

Variants and Related Words

• Concave lens: A common type of diverging lens where one or both surfaces curve inward.
  • A simple concave lens is a basic form of a diverging lens.
• Diverging meniscus lens: A lens with one concave and one convex surface, but where the concave surface has a greater curvature, resulting in a net diverging effect.

Synonyms

• Concave lens: Emphasizes the shape of the lens surfaces.
• Negative lens: Emphasizes the optical property of having a negative focal length.
• Spreading lens: A less common descriptive term.

Related Phrases

• "To diverge light": The primary action performed by this lens.
  • The purpose of this optical element is to diverge light rays.

Noun

1. a lens such that a parallel beam of light passing through it is caused to diverge or spread out