characteristics of images formed by plane mirror

 

PROPERTIES OF IMAGES FORMED BY PLANE MIRROR:

(NOTE: In terms of optics “object” is referred to any thing which is present in front of a mirror,  and “image” is referred to the image of the object formed, whether it is a virtual or real.  About virtual and real images we will learn later in this concept)

1)1)    Object distance is always equal to Image distance

2)2)    Object size (width and height) is always equal to Image size.(magnification=+1, about magnification we will learn later in the concept)

3)3)  Image is laterally inverted (right becomes left and left becomes right)

4) The image formed in the mirror is virtual.

TYPES OF IMAGES:

VIRTUAL IMAGE: These images are formed when diverged reflected rays are extended back. These are imaginary but not real. (example our face inside a plane mirror). These images cannot be captured on the screen.

REAL IMAGES:

 

These images are formed when the reflected rays meet at a point. These images can be captured on the screen. (example rays falling on the screen from a projector)

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