To understand why a concave lens always forms a certain type of image irrespective of the object's position, let's explore how concave lenses work. A concave lens, also known as a diverging lens, has a surface that curves inward. This shape causes light rays that pass through the lens to spread out or diverge. When parallel light rays (coming from an object) strike a concave lens, they refract and diverge away from the principal axis.
To analyze the image formation, we utilize ray diagrams:
These rays never actually meet on the opposite side of the lens. Instead, they appear to originate from a point on the same side as the object. Consequently, the image is formed where the rays appear to diverge, meaning:
Therefore, irrespective of the object's position on the principal axis, a concave lens always forms an image that is virtual and erect.
A concave lens always forms a virtual and erect image irrespective of the object's position on the principal axis.
Key characteristics of image formed by a concave lens:
This happens because the concave lens diverges the rays, and the image appears to be formed on the same side as the object.
Final Answer: virtual, erect