What is spherical aberration?

What is spherical aberration?

• A. A distortion in images caused by color filters
• B. A distortion in images due to lens shape
• C. A phenomenon of light being absorbed by lenses
• D. A type of distortion caused by flat mirrors

Answer: (B)

Spherical aberration is indeed a distortion in images that arises primarily due to the shape of lenses. It occurs when light rays that are parallel to the optical axis of a spherical lens do not converge at a single point after passing through the lens. This happens because spherical lenses, especially those with larger apertures, cause light rays hitting the edges to focus at different points than those hitting the center, leading to blurred and distorted images. The shape of the lens plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Ideally, lenses would have a parabolic shape to ensure that all incoming parallel light rays converge at the same focal point. However, most lenses are spherical, which leads to spherical aberration. Understanding this principle is essential in optics, particularly in the design and application of lenses in various optical devices. The other options discuss different types of optical phenomena or distortions that do not directly relate to the deviations caused by lens shape. Hence, recognizing spherical aberration as a consequence of the geometry of the lens is a fundamental concept in optics.

Spherical aberration is indeed a distortion in images that arises primarily due to the shape of lenses. It occurs when light rays that are parallel to the optical axis of a spherical lens do not converge at a single point after passing through the lens. This happens because spherical lenses, especially those with larger apertures, cause light rays hitting the edges to focus at different points than those hitting the center, leading to blurred and distorted images.

The shape of the lens plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Ideally, lenses would have a parabolic shape to ensure that all incoming parallel light rays converge at the same focal point. However, most lenses are spherical, which leads to spherical aberration. Understanding this principle is essential in optics, particularly in the design and application of lenses in various optical devices.

The other options discuss different types of optical phenomena or distortions that do not directly relate to the deviations caused by lens shape. Hence, recognizing spherical aberration as a consequence of the geometry of the lens is a fundamental concept in optics.