Final answer:
In magnification mode, an image intensifier results in a decreased field of view as the lens zooms in on a smaller portion of the object, making the viewed image larger than the object itself. Negative magnification signifies an inverted image, and magnification less than 1 indicates the image size is smaller than the object.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an image intensifier operates in magnification mode, the field of view is decreased. This is because the image formed is larger than the original object, meaning that the magnifying lens or system is zooming in on a smaller portion of the object, thus reducing the overall field of view that can be seen at one time. A negative magnification indicates that the image is inverted with respect to the object, while a magnification less than 1 in magnitude means the image is smaller than the object.
For instance, if the magnification is calculated as -2, it signifies that the image is inverted and twice the size of the object. In contrast, a magnification of 0.5 means the image is upright and half the size of the object. This understanding is essential in optics and can be applied to various scenarios, including the correction of vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness through appropriate lenses that either minimize the distance between the image and the lens or increase it, respectively.