What Happens if a Lens Has the Same Refractive Index as Air?
What would happen if a lens had the same refractive index as air? a. Light would not pass through the lens. b. The image would be magnified more than with a glass lens. c. The image would be magnified, but the resolution would be less than with a glass lens. d. The image would be magnified, and the resolution would be greater than with a glass lens. e. The image would not be magnified.
If a lens had the same refractive index as air, its refraction capability would be greatly minimized, resulting in an absence of image formation. This is due to the lack of bending or refraction of light as it crosses essentially the same medium, negating the magnifying or minifying effect of the lens and basically rendering it non-functional. Therefore, 'The image would not be magnified.' is the most accurate response.
Explanation:
However, given that in this scenario air and the lens share the same refractive index, there would be minimal to no change in speed of the light crossing the boundary, therefore minimal to nil refraction will occur. Consequently, the lens will not perform its image forming function - magnifying or minifying the image - because its curvature alone, without refraction, is insufficient to redirect light.
In summary, option (e) 'The image would not be magnified' is the most accurate response to this query. This demonstrates the crucial role of refractive index in how lenses function, proving that without the significant refractive property that solid media like glass offer, a lens would basically lose its function within an optical system.