Question

State and explain the characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror.

Answer 1

Characteristics of the image formed by the plane mirror:

• The image of the burning candle (object) is seen behind the mirror at the same distance. Therefore the image formed by a plane mirror is always formed as far behind the mirror as the objects is in front of it.
• Since the image of the candle behind the mirror cannot be obtained on the screen, therefore, The image formed by the mirror is always virtual.
• When we place the candle upright the image formed is also upwards. This shows that the image formed by a plane mirror is erect.
• When we compare the size of the candle and its image formed in a plane mirror, they are of the same size. This shows the size of the object and the size image formed by the plane mirror is equal.
• The distance between the candle and the mirror is equal to the distance between the image of the candle and the minor.
• The image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted. That is, the left side of the object appears to the right side of the image and the right side of the object is to the left side of the image.