What's the difference between a real image and a virtual image?

The difference between real image and virtual image lies in the actual light path, brightness, clarity, position and imaging principle.

1, actual light path: the real image is composed of actual light rays and can be presented on the screen. Virtual image is formed by the intersection of opposite extension lines of actual light, which cannot be presented on the screen.

2. Brightness: The brightness of the real image is usually higher than that of the virtual image, because the real image is directly illuminated by the actual light on the screen, while the virtual image is formed by the intersection of opposite extension lines, and the light will be lost after refraction and reflection.

3. Clarity: The clarity of the real image is also higher than that of the virtual image, because the real image is directly irradiated by the actual light on the screen, and the virtual image is formed by the intersection of refracted light and reflected light, which may be scattered and deformed in the process of refraction and reflection, resulting in a decline in clarity.

4. Position: The real image and the virtual image are also different in position. The real image is usually located outside the lens focus, while the virtual image is located inside the lens focus.

5. Imaging principle: The real image is an image formed by the actual intersection of light rays after refraction, reflection or diffusion, which can be presented on the screen. Virtual image is an image formed by the intersection of opposite extension lines after light is refracted, reflected or diffused, and cannot be presented on the screen.

Application scenarios of real images:

Optical instruments: Real images have important applications in optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes and cameras. These instruments use the principle of real image to enlarge or reduce objects, which is convenient for observation or shooting.

2. Projector: A projector is a device that projects images onto a screen by using the principle of real images. It focuses the light on the screen to form a clear image for the audience to watch.

3. Photography: Photography is the art of recording real images with a camera. The camera focuses the light on the photosensitive element through the lens to form a clear image. Photographers can control the brightness, sharpness and color of real images by adjusting parameters such as lens, aperture and shutter speed.

4. Projectors: projectors such as movie projectors and slide projectors also work by using the principle of real images. By projecting the images onto the screen, they form a clear image for the audience to watch.

5. Visual inspection: In industrial production and quality control, real images are also widely used in the field of visual inspection. Using high-precision microscope and image processing technology, the surface defects, size and shape of products can be accurately detected.