Explain how image is formed by a plane mirror
To understand how an image is formed by a plane mirror, let's break it down step by step:
1. Light rays: When light falls on a plane mirror, it gets reflected. These reflected rays are what help us perceive objects in the mirror.
2. Incident rays: Suppose you are looking at an object in front of a plane mirror. When light from the object reaches the mirror, it strikes the mirror's surface. These incoming rays are known as incident rays.
3. Reflection: The incident rays bounce off the mirror's surface following the law of reflection. According to this law, the angle of incidence (the angle between the incident ray and the normal, a line perpendicular to the mirror's surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the reflected ray and the normal).
4. Virtual image: The reflected rays appear to originate from a location behind the mirror. This is where the concept of the image comes into play. The image formed by a plane mirror is known as a virtual image because it cannot be projected onto a screen. It exists only in our perception.
5. Image characteristics: The image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted, meaning it appears flipped horizontally. For example, if you raise your right hand in front of a mirror, its reflection appears as if it is your left hand. Additionally, the image formed is at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.
In summary, a plane mirror forms a virtual image by reflecting the incident light rays. This image appears to be behind the mirror, laterally inverted, and at the same distance as the object from the mirror.