Uncover the Mystery: Why You See a Real Image in a Concave Mirror

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of seeing a real image in a concave mirror, particularly focusing on the conditions under which this occurs and the nature of the images produced. Participants explore concepts related to reflection, real and virtual images, and the implications of object placement relative to the mirror's focal length.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on why a real image is visible in a concave mirror, expressing difficulty in finding answers online.
  • Another participant provides a link to a resource but suggests that the original question may be homework-related.
  • A participant indicates they understand the basic definitions of real and virtual images but expresses confusion about the practical observation of images in the mirror.
  • It is noted that whether a concave mirror produces a real or virtual image depends on the object's distance from the mirror, specifically that the object must be beyond the focal length to see a real image.
  • A participant attempts to rephrase their question, indicating they understand the conditions for producing a real image but are puzzled about how they can see this image in the mirror.
  • Another participant suggests that the ability to see a real image in the mirror can be understood through ray diagrams, explaining that light rays reaching the eye from the image correspond to those from the object.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the concepts of real and virtual images, and there is no consensus on the clarity of the original question or the explanation of how images are perceived in the mirror.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference external resources for further understanding, but there are indications that definitions and concepts may not be fully agreed upon, leading to confusion about practical observations.

doodlamani
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Hi

Why is that you can see a REAL image in a concave mirror when you are looking into the mirror?


i tried searching the answer on the net but could not find the answer.
please help

thanx in advance.
 
Science news on Phys.org
i read that but was not clear so asked u all.
any other answers please.
 
It's difficult to answer your question without knowing what you already understand about reflection. Do you know what a "real" image means? Do you understand the law of reflection? Try this: http://www.bismarckstate.edu/hyperphysics/hbase/geoopt/mirray.html#c3"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Help

Doc Al said:
It's difficult to answer your question without knowing what you already understand about reflection. Do you know what a "real" image means? Do you understand the law of reflection? Try this: http://www.bismarckstate.edu/hyperphysics/hbase/geoopt/mirray.html#c3"

yes i do no the basix. the image should be inverted , real (can be obtained on a screen) and is in front of the mirror. but this not the case practically. it is inside the miiro, inverted and appears virtual. please help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
doodlamani said:
but this not the case practically. it is inside the miiro, inverted and appears virtual.
Whether a concave mirror provides a real image or a virtual image depends on how far the object is from the mirror. To see a real image the object must be further away than the focal length. Please study the link I provided for more details.
 
i think i could not pose my question correctly. let me try again. i know that a virtual image is seen enlarged and erect when the object is between focus and pole of hte concave mirror. in case hte object is beyond f then the image should be in front of mirror(real and inverted).. my question si how are we able to see the image of the object (which is supposed to be in front of hte mirror) in the mirror( u see it inverted and diminished).acn anyone please now tell me how are we seeeing the supposed to be real image in the mirror
 
doodlamani said:
in case hte object is beyond f then the image should be in front of mirror(real and inverted).. my question si how are we able to see the image of the object (which is supposed to be in front of hte mirror) in the mirror( u see it inverted and diminished).acn anyone please now tell me how are we seeeing the supposed to be real image in the mirror

Just to verify: you've put the object between the focus and the centre of curvature (2f) of a concave mirror, so as to produce a real inverted image beyond that centre of curvature. Your experimental results completely agree with the theory (I don't know what you mean by diminished), but you don't understand why you can actually see a "real image"?

In that case, you see it for the same reason you see any other (real or virtual) image: draw some big detailed ray diagrams of different cases and you should understand that wherever you look from (well, provided you're still in the beam's path) the light rays which (seem to) reach your eye coming from any particular spot on the image actually originate from the corresponding spot on the object. Hence, how could your eyes ever distinguish the image from a real object (other than size, orientation and position)?
 

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