A plane mirror cannot form a real image. Here’s the detailed explanation:

• Definition of Image: An image is formed when rays of light emanating from an object converge or appear to converge.
• Plane Mirrors: A plane mirror reflects light according to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
• Image Formation: When light rays strike a plane mirror, they reflect off the surface. The reflected rays diverge but appear to come from a point behind the mirror, which is where the virtual image is formed.
• Virtual Images: This virtual image cannot be projected on a screen because the light rays do not actually converge at that point; they only appear to do so when extended backwards. Therefore, the image is upright and of the same size as the object.
• Real Images: A real image is formed when light rays converge at a point, and this typically occurs with concave mirrors or lenses where the reflected or refracted rays actually meet at a point in front of the mirror or lens.

Thus, a plane mirror always produces a virtual image, and it cannot produce a real image.