Final answer:
A convex lens refracts light to form real or virtual images, while a convex mirror reflects light, always forming virtual, upright, and smaller images behind the mirror.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Convex Lens and Convex Mirror
The primary difference between a convex lens and a convex mirror lies in the way they manipulate light. A convex lens is a converging lens that can form both real and virtual images depending on the position of the object. It refracts light rays such that they meet at a point known as the focal point. When an object is placed beyond the focal length of a convex lens, the image formed is real, inverted, and can be larger or smaller than the object. Conversely, when the object is within the focal length, the image is virtual, upright, and larger.
A convex mirror, on the other hand, is a diverging mirror with a negative focal length and power, indicating that it spreads out light rays. This results in the formation of virtual images that are always upright, smaller than the object, and cannot be projected onto a screen. The image formed by a convex mirror appears to be behind the mirror itself. This characteristic makes convex mirrors useful for situations where a wide field of view is necessary, such as in vehicle side mirrors.
In summary, a convex lens can produce a variety of image types depending on the position of the object relative to the focal point, while a convex mirror produces only virtual, upright, and smaller images regardless of the object's position.