The image formed by a plane mirror is _______ in nature.

A virtual image is a type of image formed where the light rays appear to diverge from an apparent point behind a mirror. Unlike real images, which can be displayed on a screen, virtual images cannot be captured as they don't actually come from a point in space. When observing a virtual image, such as the one created by a plane mirror, it seems to be behind the mirror. This is because the reflected light rays from the mirror enter our eyes, but these rays do not actually converge; instead, our brain extends them back and perceives an image at the point where they appear to intersect. This results in the virtual image having a characteristic that seems quite remarkable: the image appears upright and exhibits the same size as the object.

Reflection of light is a fundamental concept in optics that occurs when light rays strike a surface and bounce back rather than being absorbed or transmitted through. This bouncing back of light follows the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence (the angle at which incoming light hits a surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which light is reflected). Two types of reflection can be seen — specular and diffuse. In the case of a plane mirror, specular reflection is what allows a clear image to form. The surface of a plane mirror is smooth and polished, causing parallel light rays to remain parallel after reflection, which is essential in forming a sharp virtual image of an object.

Plane mirrors are fascinating for their simplicity and the properties that come with their flat surfaces. Key properties include:

• The image produced is always virtual and upright.
• The size of the image is equal to that of the object reflected.
• Images formed in a plane mirror are laterally inverted, meaning the left and right sides are switched.
• The distance between the object and the mirror is the same as the distance from the mirror to the image.
• No matter the angle at which you view the mirror, the image always appears to be the same size due to consistent angles of reflection.

The consistency and predictability of a plane mirror's reflection are what make it so useful in everyday applications, from bathroom mirrors to periscopes, and also as a tool for understanding basic optical principles.