The image formed by a concave mirror

Options

A. is always real
B. is always virtual
C. is certainly real if the object is virtual
D. is certainly virtual if the object is real

Answer

To solve the question regarding the image formed by a concave mirror, we will analyze the properties of images formed by concave mirrors based on the position of the object.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Concave Mirrors**:
- A concave mirror is a spherical mirror that curves inward. It has a focal point (F) and a center of curvature (C). The principal axis is the line that passes through the center of the mirror and the focal point.

2. **Image Formation by Concave Mirrors**:
- The nature of the image formed by a concave mirror depends on the position of the object relative to the focal point (F) and the center of curvature (C).

3. **Different Object Positions**:
- **Object at Infinity**: The image is formed at the focus (F) and is real and inverted.
- **Object Beyond C (more than 2F)**: The image is formed between F and C, is real, inverted, and smaller than the object.
- **Object at C (2F)**: The image is formed at C, is real, inverted, and of the same size as the object.
- **Object Between C and F**: The image is formed beyond C, is real, inverted, and larger than the object.
- **Object at F**: The image is formed at infinity, is real, and inverted.
- **Object Between F and the Pole (P)**: The image is formed behind the mirror, is virtual, erect, and larger than the object.

4. **Conclusion on Image Types**:
- From the above cases, we can conclude that a concave mirror can produce both real and virtual images depending on the position of the object.
- If the object is real (located in front of the mirror), the image can be real or virtual.
- If the object is virtual (located behind the mirror), the image formed will always be real.

5. **Final Answer**:
- Therefore, the correct option is: "The image is certainly real if the object is virtual." This corresponds to option 3.