Why can't the focus of a plane mirror be virtual like in a concave mirror?

AI Thread Summary
The focus of a plane mirror is considered to be at infinity because reflected rays do not converge or intersect. Unlike concave mirrors, which have a virtual focus where rays appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror, plane mirrors do not create a focal point in the same manner. When analyzing parallel rays reflecting off a plane mirror, they remain parallel and do not converge, reinforcing the concept of an infinite focal point. The discussion suggests that the terminology around "infinity" may be misleading, as it implies a paradox rather than a practical focal point. Ultimately, the nature of reflection in plane mirrors fundamentally differs from that in concave mirrors.
Sam Morse
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I read somewhere that the focus of a plane mirror is at infinity because rays after reflection from a plane mirror don't intersect anywhere. But why can't the focus be virtual as in case of concave mirror ?
 
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Sam Morse said:
I read somewhere that the focus of a plane mirror is at infinity because rays after reflection from a plane mirror don't intersect anywhere. But why can't the focus be virtual as in case of concave mirror ?

When considering where the focal point is we use two parallel rays of light incident on the mirror, how will these two rays be reflected from a plane mirror?
 
Sam Morse said:
I read somewhere that the focus of a plane mirror is at infinity because rays after reflection from a plane mirror don't intersect anywhere. But why can't the focus be virtual as in case of concave mirror ?
The two parallell rays of light we use to determine the focal distance will still be parallell and with the same distance from each other at infinity.
Saying that the focal point is present at infinity is a nonsense paradox of the terminology infinity just as my above explanation. The focal point could likely be behind the mirror, saying that the two parallell rays would be separated infinitly from each other at infinity in front of the mirror.
 
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