PhysicsLAB

Resource Lesson
Ray Diagrams for Concave Mirrors


Case #1:
Object at infinity

parallel rays converge at the principal focus

F is located at a position
which is equal to half
of the radius of the mirror:
FV = ½ CV

 

 


 

Case #2:
Object is Region I

Image formed is real, inverted and reduced in size

Image is in Region II

 

Case #3:
Object is at C = 2F

the image formed is real, inverted and equal in size to the object

Image is at C = 2F

 

Case #4:
Object is in Region II

Image formed is real, inverted and enlarged in size

Image is in Region I

 

Case #5:
Object is at F

No image is formed.

 

Case #6:
Object is Region III

Image formed is virtual, upright and enlarged in size

Image can be formed
anywhere "behind"
the mirror

Resource Lesson on Spherical Mirrors

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Catharine H. Colwell
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