Fill in the following blanks with suitable words :
The image in a concave lens is always __________ than the object.

Answer

To fill in the blank in the statement "The image in a concave lens is always __________ than the object," we need to analyze the properties of images formed by concave lenses.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Concave Lenses**: Concave lenses are diverging lenses that spread out light rays that are initially parallel. They are thinner at the center than at the edges.

2. **Image Formation**: When an object is placed in front of a concave lens, the rays of light diverge after passing through the lens. If we extend these diverging rays backward, they appear to originate from a point on the same side as the object.

3. **Characteristics of the Image**: The image formed by a concave lens has specific characteristics:
- It is virtual (cannot be projected on a screen).
- It is upright (the same orientation as the object).
- It is diminished (smaller in size compared to the object).

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the characteristics of the image formed by a concave lens, we can fill in the blank. The correct word to complete the statement is "smaller."

### Final Answer:
The image in a concave lens is always **smaller** than the object.