Question

An object is placed on the left of a converging lens at a distance that is less than the focal length of the lens. The image produced will be a) real and inverted. c) virtual and inverted. b) virtual and upright. d) real and upright.

Short answer

Answer: b) virtual and upright

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the properties of a converging lens

A converging lens, also known as a convex lens, bends the light rays that pass through it in such a way that the rays converge to a single point. The distance from the lens to this point, where the rays meet, is called the focal length (denoted as \(f\)). The property of converging lenses that is relevant for this exercise is that they can form real or virtual, and inverted or upright images based on the position of the object.

Identifying the location of the object relative to the focal length

The exercise states that the object is placed at a distance less than the focal length of the lens (\(d_{object} < f\)).

Applying the lens properties to determine the image's nature

When an object is placed closer to a converging lens than its focal length, the light rays diverge after passing through the lens and do not meet at a common point on the other side of the lens. However, when we trace these diverging light rays back, they appear to be coming from a common point on the same side of the lens as the object. An image that is formed by the extension of diverging light rays in this way is called a virtual image. Since the image is formed on the same side of the lens as the object, it will be upright. From this analysis, we can conclude that the image produced will be: b) virtual and upright.