Diverging lenses are also known as concave lenses. These lenses are thinner at the centre and thicker at the edges. The images formed by diverging lenses are always diminished, virtual and erect. Diminished means that the image is smaller than the object. Virtual means that the image appears to be behind the lens and cannot be projected on a screen. Erect means that the image appears to be in the same orientation as the object. The reason for these characteristics is that the diverging lens spreads out the light rays that enter it, causing them to diverge or move apart. This creates an image that is smaller and appears to be located behind the lens.