very weird optics question

[osprey099]

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There are two perpendicular mirrors shown below:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4924813363_82653ec8cc.jpg

Is the candle image that is directly above the orignal candle (NOT the two images to the left/right) a virtual image or a real image?

 

[NuttyEngDude]

these are two flat mirrors, they by definition create upright virtual images.

 

[dsoz]

+1

It LOOKS like it is positioned BEHIND the mirror, which is what a virtual image is.

dsoz

 

[osprey099]

Can you guys explain how i can find out it is an upright virtual image? Im not sure how I am supposed to draw the ray lines

 

[NuttyEngDude]

i just memorized it. everything will give you an upright virtual image except for anything that converges. and of those that converge, it has to be outside the focal point to give you an inverted image.

to me, that seemed most straight forward to learn and everything else seemed convoluted. there is deeper learning, for example, when to draw the light ray as going through the focus or as if it is originating from the focus. but, take each layer of understanding at a time 🙂

for completeness, draw rays originating for diverging, and through for converging.