Question

Mark out the correct statement(s) for the image formed by a plane mirror.

• A. It can be real.
• B. It can be inverted.
• C. It must be virtual and erect.
• D. It must be virtual and erect for the real and extended objects.

Answer 1

Answer: (C), (D)

It must be virtual and erect for the real and extended objects.

Step 1: Types of image

Image is an optical appearance of an object when a ray of light comes from it and gets reflected from a mirror or through a lens.

1. Real image: The image formed by the real intersection of rays is called a real image. It is formed in front of the mirror and can be formed on the screen.
2. Virtual image: The image formed by the apparent intersection of rays is called a virtual image. The virtual image is seen only by looking into a mirror but cannot be formed on the screen.

Step 2: Explanation for the correct option

C: It must be virtual and erect.

1. The nature of the image formed by the plane mirror is virtual and erect and the size of the image is also equal to that of the object.
2. Because both the object and the image have the same side up and are of the same size as the object.
3. The image formed is at the same distance behind the plane mirror and also in the front of the mirror.

D: It must be virtual and erect for the real and extended object.

1. Extended objects can be considered to be made up of a very large number of points object Image is virtual and erect for real and an extended object.
2. Because the image of an extended object is the collection of the image points corresponding to the various point of the object.

Thus, options C and D are correct.