WavesKey Facts

Real vs Virtual Images

Part of Lenses & ImagesGCSE Physics

This key facts covers Real vs Virtual Images within Lenses & Images for GCSE Physics. Revise Lenses & Images in Waves for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 14 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 5 of 14

Practice

13 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

📸 Real vs Virtual Images

Real Image:

  • Formed where light rays actually meet
  • Can be projected onto a screen
  • Always inverted (upside down)
  • Formed by convex lenses when object is beyond F

Virtual Image:

  • Formed where light rays appear to come from (rays diverge and don't actually meet)
  • Cannot be projected onto a screen
  • Always upright
  • Formed by: concave lenses, convex lens when object is closer than F, plane mirrors

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Lenses & Images. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Lenses & Images

What does a convex (converging) lens do to parallel rays of light?

  • A. It brings the rays together at the focal point
  • B. It spreads the rays apart
  • C. It reflects the rays back
  • D. It blocks the rays
1 markfoundation

Explain the difference between a converging lens and a diverging lens. Include what each type does to parallel rays of light.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is focal length?
Distance from lens center to focal point
What is a convex lens?
Converging lens - thicker in middle, brings light rays together

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