Real and virtual images

Real and virtual images

We have seen images being formed in a pinhole camera and a mirror. Can we see what is different in both of these images? Firstly, the image of the pinhole camera was formed on a screen.  While  the  image made by the mirror is not obtained on a screen. The images that are obtained on a screen are called ‘real image’ and that which cannot be obtained on a screen ‘virtual image’. Also notice that the image on pinhole camera was upside down. While the mirror image was upright.

Properties of Image formed in a plane mirror

Image formed in a plane mirror is upright

Image formed in a plane mirror is virtual

The image is of the same size as the object

The distance of the image from the plane mirror is equal to the distance of the object from the mirror

Image is laterally inverted.

ACTIVITY 7

There are eight letters in the word EINSTEIN

1. Write the word in front of a plane mirror shown in diagram

2. Write down how these letters appear in the mirror

3. How many of these letters appear to be different, when the word is reflected?

4. Write down the letters that appear to be the same.

Answer:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 3 letters (E, N, S)

(iv) I, T