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School Physics Notes: Reflection of visible light 6. The nature of a plane mirror image

GCSE level Physics exam revision notes on light and reflection

Reflected light: PART 6. Diagram explaining the characteristic properties of the virtual image formed by a plane mirror

[Author © Dr Phil Brown PhD: Doc Brown's physics exam revision notes suitable for students of UK IGCSE & GCSE level physics courses, ~ US grades 9-10 physics [light- page updated April 20th 2026 *]

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[KEY POINTS and learning objectives for this page, after initial notes]

INDEX of physics notes: Light reflection and the uses of plane and curved mirrors

6. The characteristic properties of the image in a plane mirror

The image produced in a plane mirror is virtual, upright and laterally inverted (ray diagram below).

The ray diagram for the formation of a mirror image

The construction of the ray diagram to show the formation of a virtual image by a plane mirror and from which you can deduce the characteristics of the virtual image.

You are expected to be able to construct the diagram of the virtual image formed in a plane mirror.

The features of the virtual image formed by a plane mirror are ...

The image is the same size as the object.

The image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.

The image is upright - the same way up as the object (if not it would be inverted, and you would look upside down!).

The image is virtual because the image appears to be from behind the mirror.

The image is laterally inverted, the 'left' of the object now appears on the 'right' side and the 'right' of the object appears to be the 'left' side of the image - this is called lateral inversion of the image

INDEX notes: Light reflection and uses of plane & curved mirrors

Key points on reflection and mirrors: The image formed by a plane mirror

Information sources for Doc Brown's key points: IGCSE-GCSE physics are based on textbooks & syllabus-specifications for students taking the UK AQA, Edexcel, OCR 21st Century Science, OCR Gateway science suite, WJEC, CCEA and CIE GCSE physics 9-1 level science examinations

Here's a concise and exam-focused set of summary revision notes on the nature of the image formed by a plane mirror, tailored to the GCSE/IGCSE Physics specifications across WJEC, CCEA, CIE, AQA, Edexcel, and OCR.

Nature of the Image in a Plane Mirror

Key Characteristics

Property Description
Virtual The image cannot be projected onto a screen; light rays appear to come from behind the mirror.
Upright The image maintains the same orientation as the object.
Laterally inverted Left and right are reversed in the image.
Same size The image is the same size as the object.
Same distance Appears the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front.

Ray Diagram Essentials for the nature of a plane mirror image

  • Incident ray: Hits the mirror at an angle.
  • Reflected ray: Leaves the mirror at the same angle.
  • Normal line: Perpendicular to the mirror surface at the point of incidence.
  • Virtual rays: Dashed lines extended behind the mirror to show apparent origin of light.

Common Misconceptions of the nature of a plane mirror image

  • The image is real
    → Correction: It’s virtual because light rays do not actually meet behind the mirror.
  • The image is magnified
    → Correction: It’s same size as the object.
  • The image is reversed top-to-bottom
    → Correction: It’s laterally inverted, not vertically flipped.
  • The image is formed on the surface of the mirror
    → Correction: It appears to be behind the mirror.

Exam Tips on the nature of a plane mirror image

  • Be able to draw and label ray diagrams showing virtual image formation.
  • Use correct terminology: virtual, laterally inverted, upright, same size.
  • Understand how angle of incidence = angle of reflection applies.
  • Link image properties to real-world examples (e.g. periscopes, dressing mirrors).
  • Practice describing image features in structured bullet points or labelled diagrams.

Typical Exam Board specifications of the nature of a plane mirror image

Focus Areas
Ray diagrams, image properties, practical applications.
Virtual image formation, reflection law, mirror uses.
Detailed ray tracing and image characteristics.
Emphasis on mirror image properties and real-world contexts.
In-depth ray diagrams, virtual image explanation, lateral inversion.

Keywords, phrases and learning objectives for the reflection of visible light rays - The nature of a plane mirror image

Be able to describe and explain with a diagram, the characteristic properties of the image formed by a plane mirror.

Know the image in a plane mirror is virtual (not real), upright (right way up), the same size as the object, but laterally inverted (right-left becomes left-right, but still upright).

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INDEX notes: Light reflection and uses of plane & curved mirrors

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