Understanding Refraction Through a Concave Lens: Image Formation Explained

Refraction Through a Concave Lens: Image Formation Explained

Refraction Through a Concave Lens

REFRACTION THROUGH A CONCAVE LENS

Let us discuss the formation of images by a concave lens when the object is placed at two possible positions.

Object at Infinity

When an object is placed at infinity, a virtual image is formed at the focus. The size of the image is much smaller than that of the object (Figure 2.12).

Ray diagram showing image formation by a concave lens for an object at infinity.

Figure 2.12 Concave lens-Object at infinity

Object anywhere on the principal axis at a finite distance

When an object is placed at a finite distance from the lens, a virtual image is formed between optical center and focus of the concave lens. The size of the image is smaller than that of the object (Figure 2.13).

Ray diagram showing image formation by a concave lens for an object at a finite distance.

Figure 2.13 Concave lens-Object at a finite distance

But, as the distance between the object and the lens is decreased, the distance between the image and the lens also keeps decreasing. Further, the size of the image formed increases as the distance between the object and the lens is decreased. This is shown in (figure 2.14).

Ray diagram showing variation in image position and size with object distance for a concave lens.

Figure 2.14 Concave lens- Variation in position and size of image with object distance