Real and Virtual Images are the two types of images formed by the reflection and refraction of light rays. The key difference between real and virtual images is that the real image is formed by the actual intersection of light rays after reflection or refraction of light, while the virtual Images are formed when light rays appear to meet at a point in the area beyond the mirror. Hence, to obtain a real image, the light rays converge while to obtain a virtual image, the light rays diverge.
Read more about the real and virtual image, their formation, examples, etc, and the differences between the real and virtual images in this article.
Table of Content
Real Image
Real image is defined as the image formed by the convergence of light rays when reflected or refracted from a plane mirror, spherical mirror, spherical lens, or object.
The real image is formed in front of the mirror and is always located at the plane of convergence of emitted light rays from the source. Real images are formed at a position where light rays intersect each other. Real images are inverted in nature. They can be seen on the screen.
Consider placing an object in front of the concave mirror, and light striking the surface of the concave mirror after being reflected from the object. Following the rules of reflection, when several light rays strike the mirror, they are all reflected once more and come together at a point in front of the mirror.
Read More: Concave and Convex Mirrors
Ray Diagram of Real Image
The figure below illustrates the above-discussed phenomenon of real images:
As we can see in this example, light rays are doing, in reality, converge at a certain point. A flow diagram of that object is then produced at that actual position. It should be noted that the rays diverge from a place where they had previously converged.
Real Images Examples
Various examples where real images are formed are,
- Images formed on the movie screen.
- Image formed by the pinhole cameras.
- Images formed on the retina of the eyes.
Virtual Image
Virtual image is defined as the image formed by the divergence of light when reflected or refracted from a plane mirror, spherical mirror, spherical lens, or object.
Virtual images are images that only appear to be produced at the position behind a mirror. However, it is not present there actually. Contrary to real images, a virtual image is created
when reflected or refracted light rays get diverged. But here light from an object is allowed to hit the mirror and when light rays get reflected from the mirror then it looks like the rays are diverging somewhere behind the mirror.
Also Read: Spherical Lenses
Ray Diagram of Virtual Image
The figure below illustrates the above-discussed phenomenon of virtual images:
Since there is essentially no light coming from behind the mirror, it is always said that the rays seem to meet somewhere. However, this is only the viewer's viewpoint. Virtual images cannot be displayed on the screen due to this. Plane mirrors produce images that are specifically of the virtual type.
Another important factor to think about is that virtual images are real. Consequently, they have a particular shape and size and can be observed with the naked eye or any optical device.
Virtual Image Examples
Various examples where virtual images are formed,
- Image formed by the Plain Mirror.
- Image formed in the rearview mirror of the vehicle.
Differences Between Real and Virtual Images
Here are some key differences between virtual and real images formed after reflection and refraction flight rays:
Real Images | Virtual Images |
|---|---|
| Real images are the images that actually formed after the intersection of light rays after the reflection of refraction of light rays. | Virtual images are images that appear to be formed after the intersection of light rays after the reflection of refraction of light rays. |
| Real images are formed by the convergence of light at a point before a mirror or lens | Virtual images are formed by the divergence of light at a point before a mirror or lens. |
| Real images are inverted in nature. | While virtual images appear erect. |
| Mostly, concave mirrors and convex lenses form real images. | However, plane mirrors, convex mirrors, and concave lenses tend to form virtual images. |
| A real image can be obtained on a screen. | A virtual image cannot be obtained on a screen. But it can be obtained on a mirror or a lens. |
| Formed on the opposite side of the object relative to the mirror or lens. | Formed on the same side as the object relative to the mirror or lens. |
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