When drawing the image formed by a lens, the image is...

• A. Inverted relative to the object
• B. Upright relative to the object
• C. Same orientation as the object
• D. Cannot be drawn

Answer: (A)

When a lens forms an image, the orientation depends on where the object sits relative to the focal point. For a converging lens with the object placed beyond the focal length, the light rays bend so that they cross after passing through the lens. If you draw at least two rays—the one parallel to the principal axis bending through the focal point on the other side, and the one passing through the center of the lens continuing straight—their intersection forms the image on the opposite side. Because those rays cross, the top of the object ends up at the bottom of the image, so the image is inverted relative to the object. If the object were inside the focal length, the image would be virtual and upright, but for the typical real-image drawing this inverted orientation is what you get.