Characteristics of Images Obtained from Convex (or Converging) Lenses
| | Characteristic of the Image | |||
| Position of the object | Image nature | Image direction | Image size | Image position |
| Infinity | Real | Punctual (point) | At F | |
| Beyond 2F | Real | Inverted | Smaller | Between F and 2F |
| At 2F | Real | Inverted | Same size | At 2F |
| Between 2F and F | Real | Inverted | Larger | Beyond 2F |
| At F | No image | |||
| Between F and O | Virtual | Upright | Larger | Further than the object |
To represent images in convex (or converging) lenses, it is essential to trace at least two of the three main rays coming from the end of the object. The point where the refracted rays meet the principal axis must then be connected perpendicularly to form the image.
Since the object is very far away, only parallel rays will be considered. The resulting image is a point (the size of a dot) at the principal focal point of a lens. Its nature is real.
The characteristics of the image obtained are as follows: the image is smaller than the object, real (since it can be collected on a screen), inverted (since it is not in the same direction as the object) and located between the focus and twice the focal length.
The characteristics of the image obtained are as follows: the image is the same size as the object, real (since it can be seen on a screen), inverted (since it is not in the same direction as the object) and located at the same distance from the lens, at a distance representing twice the focal length.
The characteristics of the image obtained are as follows: the image is larger than the object, real (since it can be collected on a screen), inverted (since it is not in the same direction as the object) and located beyond twice the focal length.
No image can be obtained in this situation, as the refracted rays cannot meet since they are parallel.
The characteristics of the image obtained are as follows: the image is larger than the object, virtual (since it cannot be seen on a screen), upright (since it is in the same direction as the object) and located further away from the lens than the object.