Diverging lenses cause parallel rays to spread outward, appearing to originate from a virtual focal point.

Steps:

• Recall that diverging lenses refract light rays away from the optical axis, creating virtual images.
• Identify diagrams where incoming parallel rays diverge after passing through the lens.
• Check for rays appearing to converge to a focal point on the same side as the incoming light (virtual focus).
• Eliminate diagrams showing actual convergence or real images on the opposite side.

Why D is correct:

• Diagram D depicts rays diverging post-lens, tracing back to a virtual focal point on the incident side, matching the thin lens equation for negative focal length (f < 0).

Why the others are wrong:

• A shows rays converging to a real focal point, characteristic of a converging lens.
• B illustrates parallel rays remaining parallel, typical of a plane glass slab.
• C depicts inverted real image formation, again for a converging lens.

Final answer: D