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Can you photograph a virtual image? Explain your answers.

a) Yes, because virtual images can be captured on film.

b) No, because virtual images cannot be captured by cameras.

c) Yes, because virtual images can be recorded by digital sensors.

d) No, because virtual images do not have physical existence.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Yes, you can photograph a virtual image since a camera's lens can focus the light reflecting from the virtual image just as it would from a real object.

Step-by-step explanation:

Yes, you can photograph a virtual image. Virtual images, such as the reflection from a flat mirror, appear to be located behind the mirror and cannot be projected onto a screen directly because the light rays do not actually converge. However, a camera can capture the light rays that seem to be emanating from this virtual image location. When you take a photograph of your reflection in a mirror, for instance, the camera's lens focuses these light rays to form an image on its digital sensor, just as it would with light from a real object. In contrast, a real image is one where light actually converges and can be projected onto a screen.

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