How would a pencil look like if you saw it through (a) a concave lens, and (b) a convex lens? (Assume the pencil is close to the lens). Is the image real or virtual?

(a) When a pencil is seen through a concave lens placed close to it, it appears smaller than its actual size, because a concave lens always produces a virtual, erect, and diminished image regardless of the object's distance. 

Hence, the image formed is virtual.

Image is posted for reference only

(b) When a pencil is seen through a convex lens placed close to it, it appears larger than its actual size, because the pencil is placed within the focus $F$ (or, between the optical centre $C$ and focus $F$) of the lens, therefore the image formed is virtual, erect, and magnified.

Hence, the image formed is virtual.

Image is posted for reference only

Tutorialspoint

Simply Easy Learning

Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

241 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started