How do plane and curved mirrors form images?

A mirror is like a special window that shows you what’s on the other side, but instead of seeing through it, you see a reflection of yourself!

A plane mirror is flat, like a piece of glass. When light from you bounces off your face and hits the mirror, it goes straight back to your eyes. That’s why when you look in a plane mirror, it looks like you're standing behind the mirror, but only as big as you are.

A curved mirror is like a spoon, either rounded (like the outside of a spoon) or dented (like the inside of a spoon). If the mirror curves outward, it makes things look smaller and farther away. If it curves inward, it can make things look bigger and closer, just like when you put your face close to a shiny soup bowl!

So whether you're looking at a flat wall or a shiny bowl, mirrors help you see yourself in fun new ways! A mirror is like a special window that shows you what’s on the other side, but instead of seeing through it, you see a reflection of yourself!