Understanding Real and Virtual Images: A Guide for Beginners

[luysion]

Im having such a hard time understanding what these types of images even are
this is what I've read so far
real images "rays from a point of the object meet at a point"

im so confused? what? they meet at the principal focus when reflected??
can somone please dumb this down for me in the simpliest manner.

cheers

 

[Stonebridge]

A real image is one like you would see on a screen with a projector. The light rays strike the screen and form an image. This happens with some lenses and some mirrors.
The other type of image, a virtual image, cannot be projected on a screen. An example would be the image you see of yourself in a plane mirror. The image appears to be behind the mirror, but of course it isn't really there. Your eye is "tricked" into thinking it is by the way the light has reflected off the surface.
The bit about light rays meeting at a point is how the real image is formed. The mirror or lens causes the light from the object to be focused onto the screen at a particular point. When you look at the screen you can actually see this "real" image.

 

[sir-pinski]

Hi there,

I completely understand your confusion about real and virtual images. It can be a tricky concept to grasp at first, but I'll try my best to explain it in the simplest way possible.

Real images are formed when rays of light from an object actually converge at a specific point, similar to how a magnifying glass focuses sunlight to a single point. This convergence of light rays produces a clear and sharp image that can be projected onto a surface, like a screen or a piece of paper.

On the other hand, virtual images are formed when the rays of light from an object appear to be coming from a specific point, but they do not actually converge at that point. Instead, the rays appear to diverge, creating an image that cannot be projected onto a surface. It is important to note that virtual images can only be seen through a lens or a mirror and cannot be captured on a screen or paper.

Now, let's talk about the principal focus. This is the point where the rays of light converge or appear to converge after being reflected by a lens or a mirror. In the case of real images, the rays actually converge at this point, while in virtual images, they only appear to converge.

I hope this helps to clarify the concept of real and virtual images for you. Remember, real images can be projected onto a surface, while virtual images cannot. Keep practicing and don't hesitate to ask for further clarification if needed. Best of luck!