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According to the ray-tracing rules, what happens to a ray that passes through the exact centre of either a converging or a diverging lens?
AIt bends sharply toward the axis
BIt bends sharply away from the axis
CIt does not change direction at all
DIt is reflected straight back out of the lens
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It does not change direction at all
1. The ray-tracing rules state that a ray passing through the centre of either a converging or a diverging lens does not change direction.
2. This rule holds for both lens types, unlike the rules for rays entering parallel to the axis, which differ between them.
3. Bending, either toward or away from the axis, or reflecting back, would all be a change of direction, contradicting this rule.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Mirrors and Lenses", section 16.3 Lenses_
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