Characteristics of Image by Plane Mirror


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Characteristics of Image by Plane Mirror

The various characteristics of the image formed by plane mirror are:

When we see the mirror, the image appears to be formed behind the mirror. Now, put a vertical screen behind the plane mirror, the image  appears to be formed behind the mirror. Even if the screen is placed in front of the plane mirror, then the image cannot be formed on the screen. This type of image is called as virtual image.

  • A plane mirror forms a virtual image, Such an image is nor formed by the actual intersection of light rays and cannot be formed on a screen.
  • The image formed by a plane mirror is erect. So, the image of a person formed by a plane mirror has the head at the top and the feet at the bottom.
  • The image is formed as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it. Distance of object from the mirror  =  Distance of the image form the mirror
  • The size of the image formed by a plane mirror is equal to that of the object.
  • The image is laterally inverted. This means that in the image formed by a plane mirror, the left and right sides are reversed.
  • Side Inversion or Lateral Inversion:

    If we stand in the front of the plane mirror and lift our right hand, then we see our image lift its left hand. And if we lift our left hand, then the image appears to lift its right hand.This mean that the right side of our body becomes the left side in the image while the left side of our body becomes the right side of the image. It appears as if our image has been 'reversed side ways' with respect to our body. The effect of reversing the sides of an object and its image is called lateral inversion. So , we can say that the image formed in a plane mirror is laterally inverted.

    We have seen that the word Ambulance is written as laterally inverted. This is because that when a driver of a vehicle ahead of the ambulance looks in the rear view mirror he sees the lateral inversion that is he sees Ambulance written on it and gives way to it.

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    The image formed by a plane mirror is __________

    Right Option : A
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    Which of the following are correct :

    (a) The image is laterally inverted means that in the image formed by a plane mirror, the left and right sides are reversed.

    (b) The image is laterally inverted means that in the image formed by a plane mirror, the top and bottom sides are reversed.

    (c) A plane mirror forms a virtual image, Such an image is nor formed by the actual intersection of light rays and cannot be formed on a screen.

    Right Option : D
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    The image in a plane mirror is

    • A. Upright
    • B. Real
    • C. The same size as the object
    • D. As far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
    Right Option : D
    View Explanation
    Explanation
     
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