Image Formation by a Diverging Mirror
This applet shows the basics of the Convex Mirror. The yellow lines
represent the three rays of light needed to form the image are as follows:
One comes from the object and travels parallel to the principal axis and therefore appears
to originate from the focal point F after reflection from the mirror.
The second ray heads toward F, emerging parallel to the principal axis after
reflection.
The third ray travels toward the center of curvature C; as a result it strikes the
mirror perpendicularly and reflects back on itself.
The green lines are the virtual rays as they appear to an observer.
The gray lines are light rays.
The red arrow is the object and the gray arrow is the resulting virtual
image. You can move the object by either draging it or by clicking to the location of your
choice.