Lenses:

• Think of lenses as clear pieces of glass or plastic that can bend and focus light. They come in different shapes, like the ones in eyeglasses or cameras.

Two Main Types of Lenses:

1. Convex Lenses: These lenses are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, like a bulging balloon. They're great at making things look bigger and closer.

   • Magnifying: When you look through a magnifying glass, you're using a convex lens. It makes small things appear larger, like tiny bugs or fine print in a book.

2. Concave Lenses: These lenses are thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges, like a curved cave. They're good at spreading out light.

   • Spreading: If you've seen eyeglasses that make the eyes look smaller, they might have concave lenses. These lenses spread out light and make things look smaller.

Mirrors:

• Think of mirrors as super smooth surfaces that bounce back light. When you look in a mirror, you see a reflection of yourself or objects around you.

Two Main Types of Mirrors:

1. Flat Mirrors: These mirrors have a flat, smooth surface. When you look in a flat mirror, you see an image of yourself that looks the same size but reversed (left becomes right, right becomes left).

   • Everyday Use: The mirrors in your bathroom and on your bedroom closet doors are usually flat mirrors.

2. Curved Mirrors: These mirrors have a curved shape, either bulging outward (convex) or curving inward (concave). They can make your reflection appear larger or smaller.

   • Magnifying or Shrinking: Convex mirrors (like the ones on some car side mirrors) make objects look smaller but show a wider view. Concave mirrors can make your reflection look bigger, like funhouse mirrors that distort your appearance.

Key Points:

• Lenses bend and focus light. Convex lenses magnify, while concave lenses spread light.
• Mirrors bounce back light. Flat mirrors give regular reflections, while curved mirrors can make reflections appear bigger or smaller.

Both lenses and mirrors are used in things like eyeglasses, telescopes, cameras, and even in everyday items like car mirrors and magnifying glasses. They help us see things more clearly or differently, depending on their shape and purpose.