Final answer:
Real images are formed by converging light rays, while virtual images are formed by diverging light rays. Virtual images cannot be seen, photographed, or projected onto a screen on their own, but they can be observed, photographed, and projected by using additional lenses or mirrors to form a real image.
Step-by-step explanation:
A virtual image is created when light beams appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror or lens rather than actually meeting at that location. On the other hand, when light beams truly converge at a point in front of the mirror or lens, a true image is created.
By observing how the light rays behave, you can determine whether an image created by a single lens or mirror is real or virtual. The image is real if the light rays converge at a point after going through the lens or reflecting off the mirror. An image is virtual if light beams appear to diverge from a point after passing through the lens or reflecting off the mirror.
Virtual images are invisible when viewed alone; however, they become visible when combined with another lens or mirror to create a real image. Similar to physical images, virtual images can also be captured through the use of an additional lens to create an authentic image. Since virtual images don't really exist at a specific location in space, they can't be projected onto a screen using additional lenses or mirrors.