As the object approaches the lens from the right, as shown above, an image is formed on the left which is real and inverted. The image changes as the object approaches the convex lens.

We distinguish between real and virtual images by the fact that real images are inverted while virtual images are upright. Another way to define real and virtual images is the fact that light is focused and actually forms a real image while no light passes through a virtual image. Light rays are always traced back to form a virtual image.

When the object is two focal lengths away from the lens the image appears inverted, same size as the object and two focal lengths away from the lens.

As the object approaches closer to the focal point the image produced is magnified and inverted.

When the object is at the focal point no image is formed.

When the object is within the focal length of the lens the image is no longer on the left of the lens but appears magnified, upright and on the same side as the object. This image is known as a virtual image.

A student looks through the magnifying glass shown on the right. The lens is most likely one focal length from the bottle two focal lengths from the bottle three focal lengths from the bottle to be less than one focal length from the bottle

What type of image is formed? real virtual neither real nor virtual

A magnifying glass is used to focus an image of a window onto a piece of paper as shown in the video on the right. How far away is the magnifying glass from the paper?

one focal length two focal lengths three focal lengths more than three focal lengths

Since the window is far away, more than three focal lengths, from the lens the image formed on the paper is virtual, upright and magnified virtual, inverted and diminished real, upright and magnified real, inverted and diminished