The magnitude of focal length of a concave lens is 2 m. What is the po

The magnitude of focal length of a concave lens is 2 m. What is the power of the lens?

+0.5 dioptre
-0.5 dioptre
+2.0 dioptre
-1.0 dioptre
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The correct answer is B, -0.5 dioptre.
The power (P) of a lens is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length (f), when the focal length is measured in meters. The unit of power is the dioptre (D), where 1 D = 1 m⁻¹.
The formula is P = 1/f.
For a concave lens, the focal length is conventionally considered negative.
Given the magnitude of the focal length of the concave lens is 2 m, the focal length f = -2 m.
Power P = 1 / (-2 m) = -0.5 m⁻¹ = -0.5 dioptre (D).
Convex lenses have positive focal lengths and positive power, converging light rays. Concave lenses have negative focal lengths and negative power, diverging light rays. The power of a lens indicates its ability to converge or diverge light; a higher magnitude of power corresponds to a shorter focal length and stronger bending of light.