The image seen in a plane mirror is located
A. at the surface of the mirror
B. behind the mirror
C. in front of the mirror
D. at the position of the object
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B. behind the mirror.
Explanation:
When you look into a plane mirror, the image you see is virtual and erect, meaning it appears to be behind the mirror, even though no actual light rays are coming from that region. This is a fundamental property of how plane mirrors work.
How It Happens:
- Reflection of Light: Light rays coming from an object strike the mirror’s surface. These rays are reflected according to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The reflected rays do not physically go behind the mirror but seem to originate from a point behind the mirror. Our eyes trace these rays backward to where they appear to come from.
- Virtual Image: A virtual image is formed because the reflected rays do not converge; instead, they only appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror. The image is virtual because the rays do not actually meet behind the mirror, but your eyes perceive them as coming from that location. A real image, in contrast, would be formed by converging light rays and could be captured on a screen, which is not the case here.
- Characteristics of the Image:
- The image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object (it is virtual and erect).
- The image is laterally inverted (left and right appear reversed).
- The image appears to be located behind the mirror at the same distance as the object is in front of the mirror. For instance, if an object is 5 cm away from the mirror, the image will appear to be 5 cm behind the mirror.
- Perception: The location of the image appears behind the mirror because your brain interprets the light rays as if they are coming from a point behind the mirror. This is the key reason why option B. behind the mirror is the correct answer.
In summary, in a plane mirror, the image is virtual and appears to be behind the mirror at the same distance as the object is in front of the mirror.