No, not every ray that passes through the center of a lens will form a real image at infinity. The behavior of light passing through a lens, and whether an image is formed, depends on the specific characteristics of the lens and the angle at which the light rays enter.
In the context of lens optics, let’s consider the two main types of lenses: convex (converging) lenses and concave (diverging) lenses:
- Convex (Converging) Lenses:
- When parallel rays of light pass through the center of a convex lens (the optical axis), they do not necessarily form a real image at infinity. Instead, they converge to a point on the other side of the lens. This point is called the focal point, and it is where a real image is formed.
- If the rays are initially divergent, meaning they spread out as they approach the lens, a convex lens can bend and converge these rays, ultimately forming a real image. This real image can be located at a distance from the lens, and it can be real and inverted if the object is placed beyond the lens’s focal point.
- Concave (Diverging) Lenses:
- When parallel rays of light pass through the center of a concave lens (the optical axis), they do not converge. Instead, they continue to diverge away from each other. Concave lenses are designed to spread out light, making the rays appear to come from a virtual focal point on the same side of the lens as the object.
So, the formation of a real image at infinity depends on the type of lens and the angle at which the light rays pass through it. Convex lenses can form real images when rays converge, while concave lenses are used to spread out rays and create virtual images that appear to come from a point behind the lens.
The specific characteristics of the lens, its focal length, and the object’s position relative to the lens all play a role in determining the location and nature of the image formed.
