What is the behavior of light that passes through a diverging lens?

What is the behavior of light that passes through a diverging lens?

• A. It converges to a focal point
• B. It diverges as if emanating from a focal point
• C. It continues in a straight line
• D. It is absorbed by the lens

Answer: (B)

When light passes through a diverging lens, it behaves in a distinctive manner that is characterized by the divergence of the light rays. A diverging lens is typically a concave lens, which is thicker at the edges than at the center. When parallel rays of light, such as those coming from a distant object, hit the diverging lens, they don't converge to a single focal point as they would with a converging lens. Instead, the light rays diverge after passing through the lens. The key aspect of this behavior is that the diverging rays appear to originate from a specific point behind the lens, known as the "virtual focal point." This virtual focal point is on the same side of the lens as the incoming light and is where the diverged rays seem to come from. Thus, any observer will see the rays as if they are emanating from this point, making it an essential concept in optics. This principle is utilized in various applications such as in eyeglasses used for nearsightedness, where the visual effect of diverging lenses helps the user focus on distant objects.

When light passes through a diverging lens, it behaves in a distinctive manner that is characterized by the divergence of the light rays. A diverging lens is typically a concave lens, which is thicker at the edges than at the center. When parallel rays of light, such as those coming from a distant object, hit the diverging lens, they don't converge to a single focal point as they would with a converging lens. Instead, the light rays diverge after passing through the lens.

The key aspect of this behavior is that the diverging rays appear to originate from a specific point behind the lens, known as the "virtual focal point." This virtual focal point is on the same side of the lens as the incoming light and is where the diverged rays seem to come from. Thus, any observer will see the rays as if they are emanating from this point, making it an essential concept in optics. This principle is utilized in various applications such as in eyeglasses used for nearsightedness, where the visual effect of diverging lenses helps the user focus on distant objects.