- #1
Gale
- 684
- 2
Hi,
So, I'm confused about the difference between real and virtual images. Let's use a concave mirror for example. I understand that a real image is formed when the actual light rays reflect off the surface and converge to one point. A virtual image is formed when the rays don't themselves converge, but if you continue you them through the mirror they converge on the other side. So, its said that the real image could be seen on a screen, whereas the virtual could not. So, do I see the virtual image in the mirror? Can I see the real image without a screen? Can one mirror produce both types of images? I can get the answers when I do the problems, but I'm just not clear what it means.
Could someone help clarify?
So, I'm confused about the difference between real and virtual images. Let's use a concave mirror for example. I understand that a real image is formed when the actual light rays reflect off the surface and converge to one point. A virtual image is formed when the rays don't themselves converge, but if you continue you them through the mirror they converge on the other side. So, its said that the real image could be seen on a screen, whereas the virtual could not. So, do I see the virtual image in the mirror? Can I see the real image without a screen? Can one mirror produce both types of images? I can get the answers when I do the problems, but I'm just not clear what it means.
Could someone help clarify?