52. When a diverging lens is held 13.0 cm above a line of print, as in Figure 26.29, the image is 5.0 cm beneath the lens. (a) Is the image real or virtual? (b) What is the focal length of the lens?

 

afg029

 

The image forms on the same side of the lens as the object, so the light rays are not converging in space.  Therefore, the image would have to be virtual.  Moreover, a single diverging lens does not produce real images, so the image is virtual!

 

the lens equation tells us

Make image distance negative since it is a virtual image

 

 

 

Note: minus sign as it should be for a diverging lens.

 

the image is virtual!

 

 

Please send any comments or questions about this page to ddonovan@nmu.edu

This page last updated on July 6, 2018