All Textbook Topics - Light - Properties of virtual light rays - Virtual rays must be behind the mirror/reflector as seen by the eye

Virtual rays must be behind the mirror/reflector as seen by the eye

Virtual rays are the eyes following real light rays back behind a reflector. In a mirror, you can see the virtual rays as the image you see in the mirror. This image is not the real light source, it just looks like it:

Here is a diagram to show how the virtual light ray would be represented behind the mirror in this scenario. It shows where the eye thinks the light ray has come from, even though it is not really there.

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Virtual light rays must be dashed and NOT have an arrow on them
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Virtual light rays must be traced back from the eye, along the real light ray, and carry on in a perfectly straight line behind the mirror/reflector

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