What is the main difference between a real image and a virtual image?

The main difference between a real image and a virtual image lies in how they are formed and how they can be projected. A real image is produced when light rays converge and can actually be projected onto a screen, making it visible in the external environment. This occurs typically with convex lenses or concave mirrors, where light rays originating from an object are brought together to form an image.

In contrast, a virtual image occurs when light rays appear to diverge from a point behind the lens or mirror. In this case, the light rays do not actually meet and cannot be captured on a screen. Virtual images are commonly formed by concave lenses or plane mirrors.

Thus, the correct response highlights that a real image is associated with converging light rays, underscoring the distinct nature of how real images differ in their formation compared to virtual images.