Which lens always forms virtual images for any object position?

Which lens always forms virtual images for any object position?

• A. Neither
• B. Concave lens
• C. Convex lens
• D. Both

Answer: (B)

A diverging (concave) lens always forms a virtual image regardless of where the object is placed. It spreads light rays outward, so the rays don’t actually converge on the far side; if you extend the rays backward, they intersect on the same side as the object, giving a virtual image. This image is typically upright and reduced in size, and it occurs for any object distance. In contrast, a converging (convex) lens can produce real images when the object is farther than the focal length, and virtual images only when the object is inside the focal length, so it does not guarantee a virtual image for every position.

A diverging (concave) lens always forms a virtual image regardless of where the object is placed. It spreads light rays outward, so the rays don’t actually converge on the far side; if you extend the rays backward, they intersect on the same side as the object, giving a virtual image. This image is typically upright and reduced in size, and it occurs for any object distance. In contrast, a converging (convex) lens can produce real images when the object is farther than the focal length, and virtual images only when the object is inside the focal length, so it does not guarantee a virtual image for every position.