The image produced by a concave lens is:

Options

A. always virtual and enlarged
B. always virtual and reduced in size
C. always real
D. sometimes real, sometimes virtual

Explanation

To determine the characteristics of the image produced by a concave lens, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Lens Type**:
- A concave lens is also known as a diverging lens. It is thinner at the center than at the edges.

2. **Behavior of Light Rays**:
- When parallel rays of light pass through a concave lens, they diverge after passing through the lens. This means that the rays appear to be coming from a point on the same side as the object.

3. **Image Formation**:
- The image formed by a concave lens is always virtual. This is because the light rays do not actually converge to form a real image; instead, they only appear to diverge from a point behind the lens.

4. **Size of the Image**:
- The image produced by a concave lens is always reduced in size compared to the actual object. This means that the virtual image is smaller than the object.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the image produced by a concave lens is always virtual and reduced in size.

### Final Answer:
The image produced by a concave lens is always virtual and reduced in size.

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