Exam Focus

Part of Lenses & Images · Section 12 of 14

Exam FocusUnit: WavesGCSE

This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Lenses & Images for GCSE Physics. Revise Lenses & Images in Waves for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 12 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.

🎯 Exam Focus

Frequently Examined

This topic is examined in Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1). Edexcel lens questions often include ray diagram completion, magnification calculations, and explaining how lenses correct long-sight or short-sight — the "describe the image" question type is a reliable Edexcel staple.

Lenses and images typically appear as:

  • Ray diagram questions — draw or complete a ray diagram for a convex lens
  • Describe the image — state whether it is real/virtual, upright/inverted, magnified/diminished
  • Magnification calculations — straightforward formula application
  • Vision correction (Higher) — explain how concave or convex lens corrects eyesight

Important: When asked to "describe the image," give ALL three characteristics: real/virtual, upright/inverted, magnified/diminished.

Practice questions for Lenses & Images

What does a convex (converging) lens do to parallel rays of light?

  • A. It brings the rays together at the focal point
  • B. It spreads the rays apart
  • C. It reflects the rays back
  • D. It blocks the rays
1 markfoundation

Explain the difference between a converging lens and a diverging lens. Include what each type does to parallel rays of light.

2 marksstandard

Quick recall flashcards

What is a convex lens?
Converging lens - thicker in middle, brings light rays together
What is focal length?
Distance from lens center to focal point

13 questions on Lenses & Images — practise free

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