Virtual image on the perpendicular

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
RabbitWho
Messages
152
Reaction score
18

Homework Statement


The book ("Real World Physics") says
A virtual image in a plane mirror is on the perpendicular from the object to the mirror

Homework Equations


I know that the normal line is perpendicular to the surface of the mirror
And I know that the angle of the incidence and reflection are the same degrees as each other with respect to the normal.. But I don't get what they mean by the sentence above
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_mirror#/media/File:Plane_mirror.png

Plane_mirror.png
[wikicommons image]

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't see any right angles in the image above and I can't visualise any when I look in the mirror. I doubled check to make sure that perpendicular always means at a right angle.. and it does... Can someone explain what is meant by this? Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Draw a line from A to A'. What angle does it make with the mirror?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: RabbitWho
So what it is saying is that something across from the mirror will look like it is across from the mirror in the reflection? Or am I misunderstanding?