What is Virtual and Erect Image?

A virtual image is formed when light rays appear to diverge from a point after reflection or refraction, but the rays do not actually meet at that point—they only seem to do so to an observer. This means a virtual image cannot be projected onto a screen; it is seen as if it were inside the mirror or lens, not on a real surface.

An erect image is simply an image that is upright, meaning it has the same orientation as the object; it is not inverted. For example, your reflection in a plane mirror is erect—it is right-side up and matches your actual posture.

Virtual images are always erect—they never appear inverted. This is in contrast to real images, which are always inverted and can be projected onto a screen because the light rays actually converge at a point. Optical devices that always form virtual and erect images include plane mirrors, convex mirrors, and concave lenses.