What causes chromatic aberration in lenses?

What causes chromatic aberration in lenses?

• A. Differences in refractive indices for different wavelengths
• B. Variations in light intensity across the lens
• C. Inconsistencies in the lens surface texture
• D. Temperature variations affecting lens materials

Answer: (A)

Chromatic aberration occurs due to the differences in refractive indices for different wavelengths of light as they pass through a lens. When light travels through a lens, each color (or wavelength) of light refracts at a slightly different angle because the lens material has a varying ability to bend light of different wavelengths. This results in the various colors focusing at different points along the optical axis, causing a visible color fringes around the edges of objects when viewed through the lens. The other options discuss factors that do not directly contribute to chromatic aberration. Variations in light intensity relate to brightness rather than focus, inconsistencies in lens surface texture may lead to distortions or scattering but not specifically to chromatic aberration, and temperature variations could affect the overall performance of the lens material but do not specifically account for the differential focusing of colors. Thus, the correct understanding of chromatic aberration is firmly tied to the refractive index variation for different wavelengths.

Chromatic aberration occurs due to the differences in refractive indices for different wavelengths of light as they pass through a lens. When light travels through a lens, each color (or wavelength) of light refracts at a slightly different angle because the lens material has a varying ability to bend light of different wavelengths. This results in the various colors focusing at different points along the optical axis, causing a visible color fringes around the edges of objects when viewed through the lens.

The other options discuss factors that do not directly contribute to chromatic aberration. Variations in light intensity relate to brightness rather than focus, inconsistencies in lens surface texture may lead to distortions or scattering but not specifically to chromatic aberration, and temperature variations could affect the overall performance of the lens material but do not specifically account for the differential focusing of colors. Thus, the correct understanding of chromatic aberration is firmly tied to the refractive index variation for different wavelengths.