optics physics question

[Reel]

Can somebody please explain to me the difference between virtual and real images? I can memorize them and I have done it in past physics classes but I really don't know what a virtual image is as opposed to a real image and I was hoping that I could actually have some idea to understand it rather than just reciting something I memorized. Thanks.

 

[DrPizza]

The difference is that a real image can be viewed at an actual place in space. (with a screen)

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
The difference is that a real image can be viewed at an actual place in space. (with a screen)

Yep. Just to expand, the light rays actually converge for a real image. That's why you can put a screen in place and see the image. With a virtual image, the rays don't converge, but your brain extrapolates back to where they would converge and forms an image that way.

 

[DrPizza]

example: for a mirror, there is a virtual image on the other side of the mirror. If you put a piece of paper on the other side of the mirror, you'd get nothing. It just looks like the image appears there.

example of real image:

flame.............lens..............image

if you put a piece of paper where "image" is at, you'll get an image.
(sorry, I'm not going to attempt an ascii diagram for which you have plenty of examples in a textbook)