Omar Bennett
The distinction between a virtual and a real image is based on the formation of the image through the reflection or refraction of light rays. A real image is formed when light rays converge at a point after being reflected or refracted by a mirror or lens, whereas a virtual image is formed when light rays only appear to meet at a point beyond the mirror or lens. In other words, a virtual image is formed when light rays diverge and only appear to meet when extended backward. As a result, a real image can be projected onto a screen, whereas a virtual image cannot.
| Characteristics | Real Image | Virtual Image |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Real images are formed when light rays converge at a point after being reflected or refracted by a mirror. | Virtual images are formed when light rays appear to meet at a point beyond the mirror. |
| Convergence | Light rays converge. | Light rays diverge (spread apart). |
| Projection | Can be projected onto a screen. | Cannot be projected onto a screen. |
| Location | Always formed below the principal axis. | Always formed above the principal axis. |
| Orientation | Always inverted. | Always upright. |
| Size | Can be either smaller or larger than the object. | Always smaller than the object. |
| Optical Devices | Formed by concave mirrors or convex lenses. | Formed by plane, convex, and concave lenses. |
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What You'll Learn
Real images are formed by concave mirrors or convex lenses
Real and virtual images are formed by the actual or apparent convergence of light rays, respectively. Real images are formed when light rays converge, while virtual images are formed at points where rays appear to converge when traced back. Real images can be projected onto a screen, whereas virtual images cannot. Real images are formed below the principal axis and are inverted, while virtual images are formed above the principal axis and are erect.
Concave mirrors and convex lenses can form real images. Concave mirrors are curved inward, resembling a "cave" shape, and can form both real and virtual images depending on the position of the object and the mirror. When light rays parallel to the principal axis strike the surface of a concave mirror, they converge at the focal point. If a nearby object is placed in front of a concave mirror, the image formed could be real, virtual, inverted, or erect, depending on its position relative to the focal point.
Convex mirrors, on the other hand, curve outward, resembling the outer surface of a sphere. They always form virtual images that are erect and diminished, regardless of the object's position. This is because convex mirrors cause light rays to diverge from a specific focal point, resulting in the image appearing smaller and upright compared to the original object.
It's important to note that the terms "real" and "virtual" refer to the image itself and not the type of lens or mirror system used. For example, concave lenses can be used with the eye lens to produce a real image on the retina. Additionally, convex lenses, commonly found in cameras, can have their focus changed by concave lenses, resulting in the formation of a real image.
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Virtual images are formed by plane, convex, and concave lenses
A real image is formed when light rays converge at a point, and it can be projected onto a screen because of its physical location where light meets. On the other hand, a virtual image is formed by extending the rays backward mathematically, and it cannot be projected onto a screen as the rays do not converge. A virtual image is formed due to the imaginary intersection of light rays.
Plane mirrors always produce virtual images. When an object is placed in front of a plane mirror, the reflected rays diverge, and the image appears to be located behind the mirror. The image formed is always virtual, upright, and the same size as the object.
Convex mirrors reflect light outwards, away from the incident ray, and produce virtual images that are reduced and upright. These mirrors are often used for their wide field of view, as the virtual image appears much smaller than the actual object, allowing for a broader perspective.
Concave mirrors can form both real and virtual images, depending on the placement of the object. If the object is beyond the focal point of the mirror, a virtual image is formed. The reflected rays diverge, and the image appears diminished and upright.
In summary, virtual images are formed by lenses and mirrors that manipulate light rays to create an image that cannot be projected onto a screen. Plane, convex, and concave lenses can all form virtual images under specific conditions, contributing to various applications such as vision correction and enhancing fields of view.
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Real images are inverted and located in 'image space'
The distinction between real and virtual images is based on whether the light rays converge to form an image. Real images are formed when light rays converge, whereas virtual images are formed when light rays only appear to converge when traced back but do not physically do so.
Real images are inverted and located in image space. This means that placing a screen or detector at the image plane will show the image. A real image is formed by the "rays" passing through a point in space, and it is always formed below the principal axis. Real images are always inverted, and they can be either smaller or larger than the object.
Virtual images, on the other hand, are always upright and located in object space, on the "wrong side" of the optical system. They are formed above the principal axis and are always erect. Virtual images cannot be projected onto a screen because the rays never converge.
An example of a real image is the image formed on your retina when you look through a concave lens. Another example is when you stand at a certain distance from a concave mirror; the image formed is magnified and appears behind the wall. If you move back, the image expands until it appears to "burst", and then you will see a real image that is smaller and upside down.
In contrast, a convex mirror produces a virtual image that is always smaller than the object. The image appears to be in front of the mirror, and if you stand close to it, the image will be magnified.
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Virtual images are upright and located in 'object space'
The difference between a virtual image and a real image lies in the convergence of light rays. Real images occur when light rays converge at a point in space, while virtual images are formed at points where rays appear to converge when traced back but do not physically meet.
Real images are inverted and located in "image space". This means that placing a screen or detector at the image plane will display the image. Real images are formed when light rays from an object converge at a point in space, and they can be projected onto a screen.
Virtual images, on the other hand, are upright and located in "object space". This means they are on the "'wrong side' of the optical system. Virtual images cannot be projected onto a screen because the light rays never truly converge. Instead, they appear to diverge from the image plane, creating an image that cannot be captured on a physical medium.
The image formed in a plane mirror is a common example of a virtual image. When you look into a mirror, your reflection appears to be behind the mirror's surface. However, if you try to touch the reflection, your finger goes through it because the image is not physically there. Another example is the magnified virtual image of your face that appears behind a concave shaving mirror when you stand close to it.
The distinction between real and virtual images can be further understood through the concept of focal length. The focal length of a real image is positive, while that of a virtual image is negative. This indicates that a virtual image appears to be on the opposite side of the mirror or lens, which is why it is considered to be on the "'wrong side'" of the optical system.
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Real images are formed when light rays converge
The distinction between real and virtual images is essential in optics. Real images are formed when light rays converge, whereas virtual images are formed when light rays only appear to converge, but do not physically intersect.
Real images occur when light rays emitted or reflected from an object converge at a point called the image point. This convergence of rays can be easily traced, forming an inverted image that can be projected onto a screen. Real images are always formed below the principal axis, and they can be either smaller or larger than the object.
In the case of a concave mirror, if the object is beyond the focal point, a real image will be formed. Similarly, a converging lens forms a real image when the object is beyond the focal point. This is because the lens bends the rays of light so that they converge in a way that corresponds to the relative positions of the points at which they left the object.
An example of a real image is the one formed on the retina of the human eye. When light rays from an object enter the eye and converge on the retina, a real image is produced. This is why the retina is considered to be physically located at the image plane.
Real images can also be formed using concave lenses in conjunction with the eye lens or a convex lens. By adjusting the focus of a convex lens, a real image can be created.
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Frequently asked questions
A real image is formed when light rays converge at a point after being reflected or refracted by a mirror or lens. Real images are inverted and can be projected onto a screen.
A virtual image is formed when light rays appear to meet at a point beyond a mirror or lens, but they do not actually converge. Virtual images are upright and cannot be projected onto a screen as they do not exist at a physical location.
A real image will be projected in front of a mirror (or on the opposite side of a lens), whereas a virtual image will appear to form behind a mirror (or on the same side of a lens as the object).
