PLANE MIRROR

PLANE MIRROR

When a ray of light falls on a surface, then it can undergo one of the following three phenomenon reflection, refraction or absorption. When it falls on a normal surface then most of the light gets absorbed. So mirrors are polished surfaces coated with mercury such that they reflect most of the light falling on them. Now based on the type of reflecting surface we can classify mirrors as concave, convex or plane mirror. Here we will be talking about plane mirror.

A plane mirror is a flat mirror that reflects light and produces a virtual image without the interference of an inward or outward curve. Plane mirrors, which include the common bathroom and hallway mirrors used daily, produce a virtual image at the same magnification and distance as the object they reflect.

Plane mirrors are simply flat mirrors without curves. Because these can be found almost anywhere, the average person is incredibly familiar with them (even if they don't know the technical term). While the first man-made mirrors were made from intensely polished bronze, silver and other metals, today most mirrors are made from glass sheets finished with a thin layer of aluminum. That said, plane mirrors can be made from liquid as well: Gallium and mercury can be used for this purpose. Regardless of material construction, however, all flat mirrors function the same way. They reflect rays of light, producing an image.

REAL AND VIRTUAL IMAGES

• Real image

The real image can be achieved when the screen is presented on the same plane of the image. The image is only produced with the help of a converging lens or a concave mirror. The size of the image depends upon the placement of the object. A real image is always inverted.

Converging from a point

• Virtual image

Virtual image on the other hand, is an upright image which can be achieved where the rays seem to diverge but does not converge in reality. This image can be produced with the help of diverging lens or a convex mirror. A virtual image is always upright.

Diverging from a point

The basic difference between real image and virtual image is that real image is obtained on the screen and appears on the same side as the object while virtual image is not obtained on the screen and appears to be on the opposite side of the mirror.

• Difference between real image and virtual image

Real Image	Virtual Image
The image is due to reflection or refraction, when the light arises from an object and converges to a certain point	The image produced when the light arising from an object appears to strike a certain point
The real image can be captured on screen as it is the result of actual intersection of ray of light	It cannot be captured on a screen as it is the imaginary intersection of ray of light
The images are inverted	The images are erect
Converging lens are used to produce the image	Diverging lens are used to produce the image
Concave mirror is used to produce the image	A plane mirror or convex mirror is used to produce the image

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