Mission RL11 Diverging Lenses - Image Characteristics
Hold down the T key for 3 seconds to activate the audio accessibility mode, at which point you can click the K key to pause and resume audio. Useful for the Check Your Understanding and See Answers.

An 'object arrow' (in RED) is placed in front of a diverging lens as shown in the diagram. Which image (in GREEN) represents the approximate location, size and orientation for such an object position?

A diverging lens produces images that always have the same characteristics regardless of where the image is located. The four characteristics that are important in the description of a convex mirror image are easily remembered by the mnemonic LOST: Location, Orientation, Size and Type.


The diagram shows an object located in front of the F location of a diverging lens. There are numerous images shown at various locations. Some images are larger than the object (magnified); other images are smaller in size (reduced). Some images are upright; other images are inverted. The goal is to use the LOST model to identify the location and characteristics of the image. Many images can be instantly ruled out because of an incorrect location. Others can be ruled out because of an incorrect orientation. Still others can be ruled out because of incorrect size. There is only one correct image for the given object location; your goal is to find it.