Step 1: Conceptual Understanding:
A magnifying glass is an optical device used to see small objects clearly by producing an enlarged image.
Step 2: Lens Behavior:
A concave lens always produces diminished images, so it cannot magnify.
A concave mirror can magnify when the object is placed between pole and focus, but it is not commonly used as a magnifying glass.
A convex lens (converging lens) produces a virtual, erect, and magnified image when the object is placed between the focus and the lens. This is exactly the working principle of a magnifying glass.
Step 3: Example:
The convex lens bends parallel rays inward, making objects appear larger. This is why it is used in magnifying glasses and microscopes.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The magnifying glass is a Convex lens.