Thread: Optical Problem

Its a known fact that concave mirror forms only virtual images that cant be caught on a screen. But yet we can see the image on the screen (eye) when we look through the mirror. Hows that?????
Thanx for your help!

The Hubble telescope is a reflecting telescope, and we have all seen photos taken by the Hubble. So, what are you talking about?

I can't understand this either. Any reflective telescope uses concave mirrors. They can be operated in their prime focus, where the real image is projected onto a detector (c.f. Schmidt camera).

Sorry my mistake....Its not actually about telescopes the thing is that virtual images cannot be caught on a screen. But when a CONVEX not CONCAVE mirror forms virtual images and we see through it does form an image on our retina or the eye. Thats my doubt!

Sorry again!!

If you see anything at all, it's because an image is produced on your retina.

Any mirror (flat, convex OR concave) can produce a virtual image. Then you look at it (at the virtual image that is), and the lens of your eye produces a real image of it (yes, a real image of the virtual image) on your retina.

That's what happens when you look in a good old plain mirror while combing your hair.

A convex mirror can also produce a real image, i.e. project an image onto a screen, or an image sensor, or a photographic film.

For a hands-on experience, get a magnifying (concave) mirror. You can easily buy one slightly bigger than a CD, or a smaller pocket version, at your local store of beauty products. Have some fun looking into it (at yourself and objects far and near; also, hold the mirror close or far away from your eye) and making it reflect light onto walls.

PS: you can also easily get a small convex mirror; they are sold as "blind spot removers" for side rearview mirrors on cars. But they are less fun because they won't project a real image onto anything.

Enjoy, and benefit scientifically.

The convex mirror causes the rays of light to diverge, but the lens of your eye focuses them and forms the image. Does that answer the question?

Yes sir!! That does answer the question. Thanks.
Thanks A Lot!!