Difference Between Real Image and Virtual Image
A real image and a virtual image are two different types of images formed by mirrors and lenses. The main difference between them depends on how the light rays behave. A real image is formed when light rays actually meet or converge after reflection or refraction. Such images can be obtained on a screen and are usually inverted. On the other hand, a virtual image is formed when light rays do not actually meet but only appear to meet when extended backwards. Virtual images cannot be formed on a screen and are always erect. Understanding the difference between real and virtual images is important for Class 10th and 12th Physics, especially while studying mirrors, lenses, and ray diagrams, and it helps students solve numerical and conceptual questions easily.
Difference Between Virtual Image and Real Image
| Virtual Image | Real Image |
| Formed when light rays appear to meet | Formed when light rays actually meet |
| Cannot be obtained on a screen | Can be obtained on a screen |
| Always erect | Usually inverted |
| Formed by plane mirror, convex mirror, concave lens | Formed by concave mirror and convex lens |
| Example: image in a plane mirror | Example: image formed on a screen by a convex lens |
Types of images formed:
There are two types of images formed by mirrors and lenses:
1. Virtual Image
- Formed when light rays appear to meet.
- Cannot be obtained on a screen.
- Always erect.
- Example: Image formed by a plane mirror or convex mirror.
(Virtual image seen by the eye)
Virtual image example: Your reflection in the mirror is the best illustration of a virtual image. Intersecting beams form real images, whilst diverging rays produce virtual images. Virtual images cannot be projected on a screen, although real images can. Two opposing lenses, concave and convex, create real images.
2. Real Image
- Formed when light rays actually meet.
- Can be obtained on a screen.
- Usually inverted.
- Example: Image formed by a concave mirror or convex lens.
What is real image in physics or define real image?
A real image is a collection of focus points generated by converging rays, whereas a virtual image is a collection of focus points formed by the extension of diverging rays.
(Real image seen by the eye)
- Since the rays do not converge, a virtual image cannot be formed on a screen, but a real image can be created because the rays converge on a real photo point. As if it were a real image projected onto a diffusely reflecting screen, the image can be viewed.
- A genuine image can be created using concave mirrors and converging lenses, but only if the item is located further away from the mirror/lens than the focus point, and the real image is inverted. The picture will advance toward infinity as the object approaches the focal point, and when the object surpasses the focal point, the image will become virtual and upright. The distance between the object and the lenses is not the same.
- When light rays intersect at a location after refraction or reflection, they exist, allowing a true image to be projected onto the screen.
- A convex lens creates one true image, and a concave mirror creates the other.
(real physics image projected on canvas)
NCERT Physics Notes :
Real image example:
The best examples of real images are created by intersecting rays, and virtual images are created by diverging rays.
Erect image:
The word erect refers to something that is upright or straight. As a result, if an image generated by a mirror or lens is upright, i.e. not inverted, it is considered to be an erect image. A flat mirror, for example, always produces an erect picture.
Erect image in science:
A right-side-up image is referred to as an erect image. The real intersection of rays creates an erect image. It's an image in which the object's directions are the same as the image's.
Inverted image:
When contrasted to the object, an inverted image signifies the image is upside down. An upright image is one in which the directions are the same as those of the object, as opposed to an inverted image. It's the one that appears to be upright.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When light rays from an object pass through a lens or reflect from a mirror to form a real image, the rays from the top of the object cross the rays coming from the bottom of the object. Because of this crossing of rays, the top of the object appears at the bottom of the image and the bottom appears at the top. Since a real image is formed by actual intersection of light rays, this crossing is unavoidable, and hence real images are always inverted.
Virtual image | Real image |
The lens itself appears to have virtual images on it. | On screen, real visuals is created. |
On flipside of the mirror, a virtual picture appeared. | On same side of item, an actual image is produced. |
The hypothetical meeting of light beams creates virtual images. | The actual meeting of light beams creates real images. |
The virtual images is raised. | Images in real life are inverted. |
Virtual image: The image behind the mirror cannot be projected onto a screen and the rays only appear to emanate from a single point behind the mirror, it is referred to as a virtual image. Example: The best example of a virtual picture is reflection in a mirror.
Real image: A Real image is created when an image is formed on a screen using a mirror. Example: convergent lens creates a genuine/real image
Virtual visuals are unlike anything else. Any image generated behind the mirror is merely our thoughts perspective. And anything we see in the mirror is a virtual image since virtual images can only be created in a mirror, whereas actual images are created by placing a screen in front of the mirror.
Since the image made is from light rays that do not meet but appear to meet when produced backwards, virtual images cannot be obtained on the screen. The image that is obtained is always upright.
Only via the use of lenses can a virtual image be viewed.
The image appears to be coming from the back of the camera.
It's possible that it's bigger than the thing.
It is not possible to project it onto a screen.
It is always in the upright position.