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Name: Heidi
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001-2002
Question:
Why is that you can see a REAL image in a concave mirror when you are looking into the mirror?

Replies:
Heidi,

A real image is not necessarily an image that is really you. A real image is one that really has light coming together at it. Place a piece of paper where the image appears to be located. If you see a picture on the paper, then the image is real. An image that appears to be in front of the mirror is usually real. An image that seems to be behind the mirror is virtual. The light does not go behind the mirror. A real image can be used to expose film, creating a photograph. This cannot be done with a virtual image. To use a virtual image for this, you must use a lens or another mirror to create a real image on the film.

Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Physics Instructor
Illinois Central College

Some what belated, but the web site below explains it pretty well:

http://www.sciencemaster.com/jump/physical/mirrors.php

Vince Calder


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