Explain the nature of the image formed in a plane mirror.
The image formed in a plane mirror is virtual, meaning that it is not a real object but appears to be one. It is always the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it and is laterally inverted, meaning that it appears to be flipped horizontally. The size and shape of the image are identical to that of the object, but it is reversed left-to-right. The image has no depth or thickness as it is a two-dimensional representation of the object.
The nature of the image formed in a plane mirror is virtual, upright, and laterally inverted.
- Virtual: The image formed is not a real image, meaning it cannot be projected onto a screen. It exists only in our perception and cannot be captured on a surface.
- Upright: The image formed in a plane mirror appears to be the same height and orientation as the object being reflected. It is not flipped upside down.
- Laterally inverted: The image appears to be flipped from left to right compared to the actual object. For example, if you raise your right hand in front of a plane mirror, the image in the mirror appears to show your left hand raised.
It's important to note that the image formed in a plane mirror is the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it. Additionally, the size of the image is the same as the size of the actual object.