What is the term for an image that appears to come from a location where light rays do not actually meet?

The term for an image that appears to originate from a location where light rays do not actually converge is known as a virtual image. A virtual image is formed when light rays seem to diverge from a point behind a mirror or through a lens, creating an optical illusion. For instance, when you look into a flat mirror, the image you see appears to be behind the mirror's surface, yet no actual light rays are reaching that area; rather, they reflect off the mirror and create the appearance of an image.

In contrast, a real image is formed when light rays actually converge at a point, allowing it to be projected onto a screen. Specular and diffused images refer to specific ways light interacts with surfaces, but neither term accurately describes the scenario of an image appearing to come from a location where light rays do not meet. Virtual images are crucial in understanding how mirrors and certain lenses work in optics.