Flat Mirrors

Key Questions

  • An image is said to be virtual when the reflected rays instead of meeting actually appear to meet and an image is said to be real when reflected rays actually meet.
    http://www.wikipremed.com/01physicscards.php?card=842
    The image formed on a flat or a plane mirror is said to be virtual because the reflected rays instead of meeting actually appear to meet. Also, one characteristic of every virtual image is that it always erect that means that they will be right side up.
    But, real images are always inverted that means that they will be upside down.

    Another characteristic of real images is that because the rays come together, the image can be projected onto a screen. If you held up a screen to a mirror, you wouldn't get an image. That's because the rays are diverging instead of converging.

  • Answer:

    Well, basically, to reflect light and also create a virtual image.

    Explanation:

    A flat mirror can be used to redirect light and in doing so change the direction of a light beam. In many devices you use flat mirrors to "move"a light beam where you want:

    https://www.uni-due.de/iptc-zellner/Trapsetup.shtml

    Also when you want to get dressed and see the end result you use a flat mirror to "see" yourself reflected as a virtual image in it.
    http://www.creativityinstitute.com/childrens-Factory-30-Flat-Mirror-Childrens-Factory-CF332-145.aspx

  • Reflection follows the two basic laws,

    1) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
    Here angle of incidence or reflection is the angle that the incident ray or the reflected ray respectively, makes with the normal at the point of reflection.

    2) The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie on the same plane.

Questions