The correct option is **B. It focuses parallel rays of light to a single point known as the focal point.** ### Detailed Explanation: 1. **Understanding Convex Lenses:** - A convex lens is thicker in the middle than at the edges. It is also known as a converging lens because it has the ability to bend light rays that pass through it. - When parallel rays of light (such as those coming from a distant object) enter a convex lens, they are refracted (bent) towards the center of the lens. 2. **Focal Point:** - The point where these refracted rays converge is called the **focal point**. The distance from the center of the lens to the focal point is known as the **focal length**. - The focal point is crucial in optical instruments like cameras, microscopes, and eyeglasses, as it allows for the formation of clear images. 3. **How Light is Focused:** - When light rays enter the lens, they are refracted according to Snell's Law, which describes how light bends when it passes from one medium to another (in this case, from air to glass and back to air). - The curvature of the lens surface causes the light rays to converge at the focal point, creating a real image if the object is placed outside the focal length. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: - **Option A: It diverges light rays that are incident on its surface.** - This statement describes the function of a **concave lens**, not a convex lens. A concave lens causes parallel rays of light to diverge, making them appear to come from a focal point on the same side as the incoming light. Therefore, this option is incorrect. - **Option C: It reflects light to create an image.** - This statement is misleading because convex lenses do not reflect light; they refract it. Reflection is a property of mirrors, not lenses. While some optical devices may use mirrors in conjunction with lenses, the primary function of a convex lens is to refract light, making this option incorrect. - **Option D: It has a uniform thickness and does not alter the path of light rays.** - This statement is false because a convex lens is not of uniform thickness; it is thicker in the center than at the edges. Additionally, a convex lens does alter the path of light rays by bending them towards the focal point. Thus, this option is also incorrect. ### Summary of Key Points: - A convex lens converges parallel light rays to a single point called the focal point. - The focal point is essential for forming clear images in optical instruments. - Convex lenses are thicker in the center and refract light, unlike concave lenses which diverge light. - Understanding the properties of lenses is crucial for applications in optics and various technologies. This thorough understanding of how convex lenses function will help you in both theoretical and practical applications in physics.