Step 1: Use the lens formula.
$\displaystyle \frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$, where $u<0$ for a real object.
Differentiating w.r.t. time $t$:
$\displaystyle -\frac{1}{u^2}\frac{du}{dt} - \frac{1}{v^2}\frac{dv}{dt} = 0.$
Step 2: Relate object and image velocities.
Let object velocity $V_o = -\dfrac{du}{dt}$ (positive towards the lens),
and image velocity $V_i = \dfrac{dv}{dt}$.
Then from the differentiated lens equation:
$\displaystyle \frac{V_o}{u^2} = \frac{V_i}{v^2}.$
Thus
$\displaystyle V_i = V_o \left(\frac{v}{u}\right)^2.$
Step 3: Behaviour between $2f$ and $f$.
When $f<u<2f$, the image lies beyond $2f$ on the other side and $|v| > |u|$.
So
$\displaystyle \left(\frac{v}{u}\right)^2 > 1 \;\Rightarrow\; V_i > V_o.$
Step 4: Direction.
As the object approaches the lens, the image moves away from the lens (positive $V_i$).
Step 5: Conclusion.
The image moves faster than the object and in the opposite direction:
$V_i > V_o$, moving away from the lens β option (C).


