Translations:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Arts and Crafts/Lighthouses/7/en

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2. Research the structure and function of Fresnel lenses. Explain what makes these lenses so effective.

1: Cross section of a Fresnel lens
2: Cross section of a conventional plano-convex lens of equivalent power
Close-up of a lighthouse lens

A Fresnel lens (pronounced fray-NELL) is a type of lens invented by Augustin-Jean Fresnel. Originally developed for lighthouses, the design enables the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the weight and volume of material which would be required in conventional lens design. Compared to earlier lenses, the Fresnel lens is much thinner, thus passing more light and allowing lighthouses to be visible over much longer distances.