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Home > Articles > Difference Between Real and Virtual Image: Definitions, Examples, Diverging and Converging Lens
Updated on 16th June, 2023 , 6 min read
A real picture and a virtual image are two types of images. The primary distinction between actual and virtual pictures is how they are created. When rays converge, a genuine picture is generated, but a virtual image is formed when rays merely appear to diverge.
An image is a visual representation of an item that is placed in front of a mirror or lens. The picture is formed by the collision of light beams that have been reflected or refracted according to their respective rules. It should be emphasized that rays do not always intersect; sometimes they just appear to meet. This also generates photos. Images are categorized as real or virtual based on whether the rays truly meet or merely appear to meet. Because the two sorts of photos are created in distinct ways, there are several distinguishing elements that we will explore in this material.
There are two kinds of images that can be formed-
An object is anything that emits light beams. Light emitted from an object in diverse directions creates an image. Some of these light beams reach the mirror's surface and reflect off it according to the principles of reflection.
The following table below shows the difference between virtual and real images-
Parameters |
Virtual Images |
Real Images |
Definition |
A virtual image is formed when the light rays appear to meet at a certain place following the reflection of the mirror. |
A real image is a picture formed when light rays collide at a certain spot following the reflection in the mirror. |
Image Reception |
We are unable to obtain a virtual image on the screen. Actually, the image appears to be on the mirror or lens. |
On a screen, we may see a genuine image. |
Lens Used |
Diverging Lens |
Converging Lens |
Mirror Used |
Concave, convex, and flat mirrors can be used to create virtual pictures. |
A convex lens is always used to create an image. |
Image Used |
A virtual picture is formed by a convex mirror. |
A concave mirror is always used to create realistic pictures. |
Interaction of Rays |
Rays appearappears to converge. |
Rays do, in fact, converge. |
Image Formed |
The produced image is upright or erect. |
The resulting picture is reversed. |
As a result, we may state that the distinction between real and virtual pictures is that the actual image can be obtained on the screen while the virtual image cannot.
A true picture is one that is generated when light rays are directed at a fixed location. On a screen, we may see a genuine image. As a result, in order to create a true image, the light source and the screen must be on the same plane. A converging lens or a concave mirror can be used to obtain the picture.
The location of the item determines the size of the image. A true image is generated when light rays interact with one another. Natural visuals are reversed and may be viewed on the screen.
Assume an object is put in front of the concave mirror, and light reflected from it strikes the surface of the concave mirror. When several light rays contact the mirror, the different light rays reflect and meet at a spot in front of the mirror by obeying the principles of reflection.
Light rays are focused on a certain location, and a visual picture of that item is generated at that location. It is worth noting that after converging at a point, the rays diverge from that point.
The most obvious example of a genuine picture is the image on the movie screen, which is created by projecting an item onto the screen using a projector. This mirrors the picture on the screen, which depicts the thing to be seen with human eyes. The picture is formed on a detector on the back of a camera or on the retina of the eyeball (they focus light through an internal convex lens).
A virtual picture is one that we cannot see on a screen. The virtual picture is an upright image that can be obtained when the rays appear to diverge but do not in actuality converge. We may create a virtual picture using a divergent lens or a convex mirror. When light from an object is permitted to strike the mirror, light beams are reflected from the mirror and appear to diverge somewhere behind the mirror. Because no light reaches behind the mirror, rays appear to meet someplace, but this is only the viewer's impression.
The screen does not display virtual pictures. The plane mirrors' pictures are uniquely virtual in nature. Another crucial aspect of virtual visuals is that they are not fictitious. As a result, virtual pictures have defined shapes and sizes, and we can see them with our eyes or any optical tool.
The finest example of a virtual picture is a reflection in a mirror. Real pictures are created by intersecting beams, and virtual images are created by diverging rays. On-screen genuine images can be projected, whereas virtual images cannot—two convex and concave lenses from the real images.
We know that a true picture is created when numerous light beams converge on one location. A true picture may therefore be created using concave mirrors and converging lenses. However, the following conditions must be met in order for a true picture to be produced-
The following conditions are required for virtual images-
Q.1 How does the true picture created by the projector avoid being inverted?
Q.2 Why are real-world photographs usually inverted?
Q.3 Is it true that genuine pictures are always smaller than real objects?
Q.4 Why does a movie projector not produce reversed genuine images?
Q.5 Provide some samples of real-life photographs.
Q.6 Describe three contrasts between actual and virtual visuals.
Q.7 What is the difference between actual and virtual images?
Q.8 Why can't we see virtual graphics on the screen?
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readAns. This sort of image is known as a "virtual image" since it is generated by the hypothetical junction of light beams.
Ans. In order to perceive a picture on a screen, light rays must focus on the screen. There are no genuine light beams that collide at the virtual picture position. At that time, they cannot be reflected on a screen.
Ans. True pictures might be smaller or larger than objects. Real pictures, on the other hand, are always reversed.
Ans. When the rays converge, a true picture is formed. A virtual picture is always generated above the primary axis, so it is always upright; a real picture is always formed below the principal axis, so it is always inverted.
Ans. A movie projector employs two mirrors. They concentrate the light source with the first mirror and focus the pictures on the screen with the second mirror. Because the photos are inverted twice, the final images are upright.