Optics/Images

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There are two types of images that can be formed: Real and virtual.

[edit] Real images

Real images are images that are actually there. There is actually light reflecting off that surface, and the rays are being picked up by your eyes. A real image is any image that can be focused on to a screen.

[edit] Virtual images

Virtual images only appear because our brains are not sophisticated enough to account for the refraction of light. When light refracts, although it appears to come from one point, it really comes from another.

Any mirror or lens can produce a virtual image.

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