The light reflected by a plane mirror may form a real image
- if the rays incident on the mirror are diverging
- if the rays incident on the mirror are converging
- if the object is placed very close to the mirror
- under no circumstances.
The Correct Option is D
Approach Solution - 1
A plane mirror cannot form a real image. The image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted. Only a concave mirror can form a real image.
Read more from the chapter: Light- Reflection and Refraction
Approach Solution -2
The Correct Answer is (D)
Real Life Applications
Plane mirrors do not form real images under any circumstances.
Question can also be asked as
- Can a plane mirror form a real image?
- In which conditions do plane mirror form real images?
- What are the applications of a plane mirror forming a real image?
Approach Solution -3
The Correct Answer is (D)
Plane mirrors have a flat reflective surface with no inwards or outwards curve. It reflects the light and forms virtual images. The angle of reflection of the light and the angle of incident are equal. The images formed are always upright and of the same size as the object.
Image formation by a plane mirror
The three phenomena that a ray of light undergoes are as follows:
- Reflection
- Refraction
- Absorption
Properties of the image formed by a plane mirror
- The image is always virtual.
- The magnification of the image is the same as that of the object.
- The size of the image and the object is the same.
- The images are always erect and straight.
- The image is laterally inverted.
Types of Reflection in Plane Mirror
- Regular Specular reflection
- irregular /diffused reflection
Uses of the plane mirror
- In torch lights
- Used by dentists
- Used in the solar cooker
- They are used for security purposes
- They are used in periscopes.
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Concepts Used:
Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Optics, deals with the determination of behaviour and the properties of light, along with its interactions with the matter and also with the instruments that are used to detect it.
Ray optics is also known as the geometrical optics and it is a branch of science which describes light propagation.
Reflection is the change in direction of light at an interface in-between two different media so that the wave-front returns into a medium from which it was originated.
Speed of light is the rate at which the light travels in free space.
A phenomenal change in image formed when the light is passed from one medium to another which is called Refraction.
Total Internal Reflection is the reflection of light when the light ray enters into a rarer medium from a denser medium and the angle of incidence is higher than the critical angle of incidence then that light ray will be reflected back to the denser medium.
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