Difference between a real and a virtual image

As we all know, light consists of various properties such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, etc. Specific properties of light, such as reflection, have a significant impact on our day-to-day lives. For instance, if the light would not reflect most objects, we would not view or perceive the things in our surrounding environment. Once the light reaches our eyes, signals are sent to our brain, and our brain deciphers the information to detect the appearance, location, and movement of the objects we are sighting at.

Hence, to view any object, you must have visible light and a line of sight established. Light will enter your eyes through the line of sight after being reflected from the object. In simple words, we can say that an image of the object has been formed. In this article, we discuss in detail the several applications and properties of this principle.

We know that essential components for forming an image of the object are a line of sight and visible light. Due to reflection, an image of the object is formed, and we can view the object. The image is formed due to several rays being emitted through the light source, and thus there are two different forms of the image formed. They are known as real images and virtual images. Real and virtual images can be defined as further:-

1. Real Images
   Real images are defined as the images formed due to the convergence of light rays after being reflected or refracted from a mirror, lens, or object. In other words, a real image is formed in front of the mirror. A real image is always located in the plane of convergence of light rays emitted from an object.


2. Virtual Images
   Virtual images are defined as the images formed due to divergence of light after being reflected or refracted from a mirror, lens, or object.

Condition for real and image

We know that for a real image to be produced when several light rays are converged across one point. Thus with the help of concave mirrors and converging lenses, a real image can be produced. However, the condition for a real image to be produced is as follows:-

1. The optical device used should be either a concave mirror or a converging lens.
2. The object must be kept further away from the focal point.

If these following conditions are satisfied, then the image produced is a real, inverted image. If the object is placed near the focal point or moves past the focal point, the image is virtual, upright, and moves towards infinity.

For virtual images, the necessary conditions are as follows:-

1. The optical device used should be either a convex mirror or diverging lens.
2. The object must be kept either at the focal point or a distance less than the focal point.

If the conditions mentioned above are satisfied, then the image produced is virtual and erect.

One can also note that the backward extension of a real image is known to be a virtual image, i.e., it does not exist in reality.

Difference between real and virtual images

Frequently Asked Questions on Difference between Real and Virtual Image (FAQs)

• Give some examples of a real and virtual image
  As defined earlier, we know that real images are formed due to convergence of emitted light rays, and virtual images are formed due to divergence of emitted light rays. Hence, some common examples of the real image are:- Image on the cinema screen as the object is being projected on the screen. Some common examples of the virtual image are: - Reflection of the mirror