What characterizes a virtual image?

A virtual image is characterized by its inability to be captured on a screen. This type of image is created when the light rays appear to diverge from a point rather than converging at that point. In essence, the rays do not actually meet but only seem to do so when traced back, which is why you cannot project it onto a physical surface to view it as a tangible image. Virtual images are commonly seen with flat mirrors and certain types of lenses.

In contrast to real images, which can be projected and are formed by converging rays, virtual images only exist as an optical illusion. They are often a result of diverging rays, but the core characteristic is their projection inability on a screen. This distinction is fundamental in optics, aiding in understanding how different types of images are formed through various optical devices.

Real images can be displayed on a surface, while virtual images remain visual phenomena that can only be observed directly, such as in bathroom mirrors or through magnifying glasses, where one looks at an upright image formed at a distance behind the mirror or lens.