Physics Lesson 12.8.5 - Image Formation in Convex Mirrors

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Welcome to our Physics lesson on Image Formation in Convex Mirrors, this is the fifth lesson of our suite of physics lessons covering the topic of Mirrors. Equation of Curved Mirrors. Image Formation in Plane and Curved Mirrors, you can find links to the other lessons within this tutorial and access additional physics learning resources below this lesson.

Image Formation in Convex Mirrors

Since in convex mirrors the centre of curvature and focus are on the other side of reflecting surface, there is only a single case of image formation, as there are no divisions on the object's placement side.

We use two rays to build up the image in convex mirrors. The first ray starts from the extremity of the object, moves parallel to the principal axis and is reflected in such a direction that its extension passes through focus. The other ray originates from the object's extremity, points to the centre of curvature but it turns back because it cannot penetrate through the mirror. However, we take its extension to build up the image, as the image is formed at the meeting point of the two extensions of the abovementioned rays as shown in the figure.

As you can see from the figure, the image is diminished, it is formed on the other side of the mirror, closer than focus and it is erect (upright). Since the image is not obtained from the reflected rays but from their extensions instead, it is a virtual image.

Example 1

The image of an object is formed in a curved mirror as shown in the figure.

1. What kind of mirror is it?
2. Where is the object located approximately?

Take the object as placed on the principal axis.

Solution 1

1. The mirror is concave, as in convex mirrors the image is always formed closer to the mirror than focus.
2. The situation shown in the figure represents the third case of image formation in concave mirrors as the image as the image is formed at a distance that is greater than the centre C of curvature. This means the image is enlarged and inverted. Therefore, the object is located between the centre of curvature and focus, in erect position as shown in the figure below.

You have reached the end of Physics lesson 12.8.5 Image Formation in Convex Mirrors. There are 8 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Mirrors. Equation of Curved Mirrors. Image Formation in Plane and Curved Mirrors, you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.

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