What is a real and virtual image?

A real image is formed when light rays converge to a point, whereas a virtual image is formed when light rays appear to diverge from a point.

Real and virtual images are formed when light rays pass through a lens or reflect off a mirror. A real image is formed when the light rays converge to a point after passing through the lens or reflecting off the mirror. This image can be projected onto a screen and is always inverted. Real images can also be formed by concave mirrors when the object is placed beyond the focal point. In this case, the image is real, inverted and smaller than the object.

On the other hand, a virtual image is formed when the light rays appear to diverge from a point after passing through the lens or reflecting off the mirror. This image cannot be projected onto a screen and is always upright. Virtual images can be formed by convex mirrors and concave lenses when the object is placed between the lens/mirror and the focal point. In this case, the image is virtual, upright and larger than the object.

Real and virtual images have different properties and are formed in different ways. Understanding the differences between the two is important in optics and can help in the design of optical instruments such as cameras and telescopes.