I was reading geometric optics when I came across the concept of virtual objects. I found the concept counter-intuitive, as far as reflection goes. (I perfectly understand the formation of such an object when the light ray is refracted through a glass slab.)
Attaching the definition provided in my book:
My confusion: A mirror forms an image when the rays originate from a certain object. So, how can an image of a virtual object form if the rays do not diverge from a particular point in the first place? What are some real-life examples of such a situation, as depicted by the figure below:
I have checked answers to similar questions but my doubt is not cleared.
Best Answer
The image in your question shows a "virtual object". It does not show an image. You could create a real image from it, and in this case it would do exactly that in front of the mirror, if you finished drawing the rays.
This is just a definition, which is somewhat counterintuative, and it completes the set of real and virtual objects and images, the other three of which are somewhat more intuative.
For real life examples its somewhat harder to come up with simple examples as a virtual object isnt often much use on its own. So it might be formed as an intermediary in a larger optical system. Or even in this example. If you have an imaging system with a fold mirror at the end, that mirror would create a virtual object, similar to your picture here.