Question

What is the type of image formed by a plane mirror? Can you catch that image on screen?

Answer 1

Hint: We will take the problem with both one as well as two dimensional objects in order to provide more details on the image formation. Ray diagram is also used to give more clarity. We first find the formation of the image using a ray diagram then we will observe the situation.

Complete step by step solution:

Here we could see that the object is on the left side and its image is on the screen. Hence, we can conclude that image formed is:
i. It is Virtual.
ii. It is Erect and of the same size.
iii. Laterally inverted (left to right).
iv. The distance of the object from the mirror is the same as the distance of the image from the mirror.
v. Not obtained on the screen.

Additional Information:
Laws of mirror:
1. Angle between the incident ray and the normal is equal to the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
2. The incident ray, the normal and the reflected ray all lie in the same plane.

Note:
The rays are always diverging in nature therefore, objects are never obtained on the screen. To solve this problem we must have knowledge on proper ray diagrams as well as laws of mirror to get exact and proper meeting as well as diverging of light rays coming out of objects and thus meeting for image formation.One of the important characteristics of the image is that it is laterally inverted. It means if you raise your left hand it would appear in the plane mirror that you have raised your right hand.