Laws of Reflection of light | Real and Virtual Image | Plane mirror
January 07, 2021
What is the Reflection of Light?
Bouncing back of the light when it falls on the surface of an object is called Reflection of light.
Laws of Reflection
- The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the Normal at the point of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
- The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of Reflection.
Image
Image is a point where at least two light rays actually meet or appear to meet.
Virtual and Real Image
| Real Image | Virtual Image |
|---|---|
| is formed when light rays actually meet. | is formed when light rays appear to meet. |
| can be obtained on the screen. | can not be obtained on the screen. |
| are inverted. | are Erect. |
| Converging lens or Concave Mirror is used to produce this image. | Diverging lens or Convex Mirror is used to produce this image |
| Example:- Image formed on cinema screen | Example:- Image formed by the Plane mirror |
The image formed by Plane Mirror
Those mirrors which have plane reflecting surface are known as a plane mirror. In a plane mirror image formed is behind the mirror and looks like as shown in the figure.
Characteristics of Image formed by Plane Mirror
- Virtual and Erect image.
- Same size as the object.
- The image formed behind the mirror.
- The image formed is at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is placed in front of it.
- Laterally inverted image.
Erect Image
Erect image means a straight image.
Inverted Image
Inverted image means the image is upside down.
Lateral Inversion
The left side of the object appears on the right side of the image and vice-versa.
The word AMBULANCE written on Ambulance is flipped horizontally(lateral inversion) on the side mirror or rear mirror of cars so that they can read it correctly and give passage for the AMBULANCE.
