Applications Of Reflection Of Light
When a light ray (termed as the incident ray) hits a surface and bounces back (forms a reflected ray), the process of reflection of light has taken place.
Sign Convention for Mirrors
A mirror is made of glass that is coated with a metal amalgam on one side due to which the light ray incident on the surface undergoes reflection and not refraction.
What is the difference between a virtual and a real image? Describe a method for demonstrating the presence of a real image.
A real image and a virtual image are different forms of image. The main difference between real and virtual images lies in the way in which they are produced. A real image is formed when rays converge, whereas a virtual image occurs where rays only appear to diverge. To obtain a real image the light source and the screen must be placed on the same plane. The image is obtained by using a converging lens or a concave mirror. The size of the image depends upon the placement of the object. The virtual image, on the other hand, is an upright image that can be achieved where the rays seem to diverge but do not converge in reality. This image can be produced with the help of a diverging lens or a convex mirror.
| Basic difference Between Real Image and Virtual Image | |
| Real Image | Virtual Image |
| Real images are inverted. | Virtual images are erect. |
| Convex lenses form a real image. | Concave lenses form a virtual image. |
| Real images are formed on the screen. | Virtual images appear to be on the lens or the mirror itself. |
| Real images are formed by a concave mirror. | Plane, convex mirror and concave lens form a virtual image. |
| Real images are formed due to the actual intersection of light rays. | Virtual images are formed due to the imaginary intersection of light rays. |
Therefore, we can say that the difference between real and virtual images is that the real image can be obtained on the screen whereas the virtual image cannot be obtained on the screen.
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