A virtual image is an optical illusion that appears but isn’t physically present. It’s formed where light rays seem to diverge or converge after reflection or refraction, without actually meeting. A common example is the reflection in a mirror. The image of oneself in a mirror appears behind it but isn’t real. Light bounces off the mirror’s surface, creating an illusion of an image that looks like it’s behind the mirror. However, this image can’t be projected onto a screen as it’s not a real, tangible reflection.