Question

Distinguish between a real and a virtual image of an object. What type of image is formed?
(i) by a plane mirror, (ii) on a cinema screen?

Answer 1

Our eyes can easily identify real images and virtual images.
It has special nerves which process the image which is rented to the brain.
Our brain identifies the type of image whether it is real or virtual.

Complete answer:
A real image is formed by the actual interaction of light rays whereas a virtual image is formed by the imaginary intersection of light rays.
(i) In a plane mirror the image is formed due to virtual intersection of the light rays behind the mirror.
(ii) On a cinema screen, real images are formed due to actual intersections on the cinema screen.

Note:
When we look at the mirror, we can see our own reflection in the mirror. That reflection is called an image formed by the plane mirror is only formed on the other side of the mirror. We can say that the image is formed “behind the mirror”. The images formed by the spherical mirror are either magnified (larger than original) or diminished (smaller than the original). Real image as there where light actually converges, whereas virtual images are locations where light appears to have conveyed. Real image occurs when objects are placed at the focal length of a converging lens. Virtual image is formed by diverging lenses or by placing an object inside the focal length of a converging lens. In optics image is defined as the collection of focus points of light rays coming from an object.