NATURE OF OBJECTS AND IMAGES
Ray optics primarily deals with determining the position and nature of the image formed when an object is placed in front of an optical element.
TYPES OF OBJECTS:
An object is a source of light rays that are incident on an optical element. An object may be a point or an extended object. Since extended objects can be modeled as a collection of points, we only need to study point objects.
REAL OBJECT:
An object is real if two or more incident rays actually emanate or seen to emanate from a point. The object is actually present. Hence it is called a real object.
VIRTUAL OBJECT:
An object is said to be virtual when two incident rays seem to converge to that point.
IMAGE:
An image is the point of convergence or apparent point of divergence of rays after they interact with a given optical element. An object provides rays that will be incident on an optical element. The optical element reflects or refracts the incident light rays which then meet at a point to form an image.
REAL IMAGE:
Real images are formed when the reflected or refracted rays actually meet or converge to a point. A real object can be captured on a screen.
When light rays, after interacting with the optical element, do not meet at a point but appear to emanate from a point, then the virtual images are formed.
Ray optics primarily deals with determining the position and nature of the image formed when an object is placed in front of an optical element.
TYPES OF OBJECTS:
An object is a source of light rays that are incident on an optical element. An object may be a point or an extended object. Since extended objects can be modeled as a collection of points, we only need to study point objects.
REAL OBJECT:
An object is real if two or more incident rays actually emanate or seen to emanate from a point. The object is actually present. Hence it is called a real object.
VIRTUAL OBJECT:
An object is said to be virtual when two incident rays seem to converge to that point.
IMAGE:
An image is the point of convergence or apparent point of divergence of rays after they interact with a given optical element. An object provides rays that will be incident on an optical element. The optical element reflects or refracts the incident light rays which then meet at a point to form an image.
REAL IMAGE:
Real images are formed when the reflected or refracted rays actually meet or converge to a point. A real object can be captured on a screen.
When light rays, after interacting with the optical element, do not meet at a point but appear to emanate from a point, then the virtual images are formed.
