The spelling of the word "virtual image" is straightforward, beginning with the /v/ sound, followed by the /er/ sound in "virtual." The second word, "image," begins with the /ih/ vowel sound, followed by a single consonant, /m/ and ends with the /ihj/ diphthong. The term refers to an image that appears to be in a different location than the actual object, created by the reflection or refraction of light. The word is commonly used in science and technology, particularly in optics and visual imaging.
A virtual image refers to an optical phenomenon in which light rays appear to diverge or originate from a point that does not physically exist. It is an image formed by the apparent intersection of these light rays after they have passed through a lens or reflected off a mirror, primarily in the field of optics. This image is not real or physical in nature; it exists only in the perception of an observer.
A virtual image is characterized by certain attributes. Firstly, it appears to be located on the same side of the lens or mirror as the object being observed. Unlike a real image, which can be projected onto a screen or surface, a virtual image cannot be captured since it does not converge at a specific point. Instead, the light rays only appear to diverge or converge from a specific point.
Virtual images can be produced by various optical devices such as mirrors, lenses, or even water droplets. They can be magnified, diminished, or inverted depending on the characteristics of the lens or mirror through which the light rays pass. Virtual images are commonly used in applications such as optical instruments, periscopes, or virtual reality technology, where they play a critical role in creating a vivid and immersive experience for the viewer.
In summary, a virtual image is an artificial visual representation created by the apparent intersection of light rays that do not physically converge. It is perceived by an observer but cannot be captured or projected onto a surface.
• A picture formed by the projection of the rays on a mirror; it is perceptible to the eye but the rays have not been focussed and so the image cannot be thrown on a screen.
• The image which would be formed by reflected rays were they prolonged beyond the reflecting surface.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "virtual" comes from the Latin word "virtus", meaning "excellence" or "quality". It evolved in English to mean "having the essence or effect without the appearance or form". The word "image" comes from the Latin word "imago", which means "likeness" or "representation".
When combined, "virtual image" refers to an optical image that is formed by the apparent intersection or extension of light rays. The term "virtual" is used to denote that the image is not physically present but is perceived by the viewer's eyes. The etymology of "virtual image" thus reflects the nature of an image formed by the apparent extension of rays rather than the actual presence of an object.