The Formation of Images By a Plane Mirror

• Print

If an object A is placed in front of a plane mirror, an image A' will be formed.

The image will be

• The same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front.

• Virtual – the rays that form the image will only appear to come from the object. In fact the 'virtual rays' are traced back to the image.

• Upright.

• The same size as the object.

• Laterally inverted – left and right are interchanged. In the diagram the man is shaving with his right hand, but in the mirror he appears to be shaving with his left.