What optical condition causes chromatic aberration in refracting optical instruments such as lenses?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Dispersion causing different wavelengths to refract by different amounts
- Step 1: The refractive index of glass varies with wavelength (dispersion), being higher for violet than red. Step 2. Consequently, violet light bends more and focuses closer to the lens than red light, producing colored fringes (chromatic aberration). Answer: Dispersion causing different wavelengths to refract by different amounts. Why not the others: Spherical aberration is geometric; diffraction determines the Rayleigh criterion.
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