You will notice that all the rays coming from the object diverge after reflection and appear to come from image behind the mirror as shown in the diagram given below.
Draw two rays from the object. Draw two normal lines at the reflecting surface and two reflected rays.
Draw dotted lines to extend the reflected rays behind the mirror. Label image where two extended rays meet together.
Characteristics of Image Formed by a Plane Mirror
- The Size of the image formed by a plane mirror is the same as that of the size of the object.
- The image formed by plane mirror is laterally inverted. This means that right side of the object appears on the left side on the image
- The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual because it cannot be obtained on the screen. The rays of light appear to come from the image but do not actually pass through it. The light rays cannot travel to the position of an image.
- The image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror (d1 = d2).
- The line joining the object and the image is at right angles (900) to the mirror.