I understand how a magnifying glass works as a convex lens, however I am curious as to how one can explain using it as a mirror.
When I observe the reflections off of a magnifying glass, strangely enough it seems to create two reflections: one that is inverted and one that is upright. How is this so? Shouldn't a magnifying glass simply act as a convex mirror, just as it acts as a convex lens? Which images are real, and which ones are virtual images?
I've attached an image I took as an example. In the image, the same house is reflected twice–one is inverted, one is upright.
Best Answer
When light goes from one medium to another some is reflected. You get a virtual upright image formed by reflection off the near surface of the glass and an inverted real image formed by reflection off the back surface.