Representation of Images Formed by Spherical Mirrors Using Ray Diagrams
Figures for both concave mirror and convex mirror are drawn below.
1. A ray parallel to the principal axis, after reflection, will pass through the principal
focus in case of a concave mirror or appear to diverge from the principal focus in
case of a convex mirror.
2. A ray passing through the principal focus of a concave mirror or a ray which is
directed towards the principal focus of a convex mirror, after reflection, will emerge
parallel to the principal axis.
3. A ray passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in the
direction of the centre of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is reflected
back along the same path.
4. A ray incident obliquely to the principal axis, towards a point P (pole of the mirror),
on the concave mirror or a convex mirror, is reflected obliquely. The incident and
reflected rays follow the laws of reflection at the point of incidence (point P),
making equal angles with the principal axis.
Ray diagrams for images formed by concave mirror
(i) When object is at infinity
Image Position − At ‘F’
Nature of image – Real, inverted
Size – Point sized or highly diminished
(ii) When object is beyond ‘C’
Image Position – Between ‘F’ and ‘C’
Nature of image – Real, inverted
Size – Diminished
(iii) When object is at ‘C’
Image Position – At ‘C’
Nature of image – Real, inverted
Size – Same size as that of object
(iv) When object is placed between ‘F’ and ‘C’
Image Position – Beyond ‘C’
Nature of image– Real, inverted
Size – Enlarged
(v) When object is placed at ‘F’
Image Position – At Infinity
Nature of image – Real, inverted
Size –Highly enlarged
(vi) When object is between ‘P’ and ‘F’
Image Position – Behind the mirror
Nature of image – Virtual, erect
Size – Enlarged
Uses of Concave Mirror
(i) Used in torches, search lights and vehicles headlights to get powerful parallel beam of
light.
(ii) Concave mirrors are used by dentists to see large image of teeth of patients. (Teeth have
to be placed between pole and focus).
(iii) Concave mirror is used as shaving mirror to see a larger image of the face.
(iv) Large concave mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight to produce heat in solar furnace.
CONCAVE MIRROR: IMAGE FORMATION
RAY DIAGRAMS OF IMAGES FORMED BY CONVEX MIRROR
(i) When object is placed at infinity
Image Position − At ‘F’
Nature of image – Virtual, erect
Size – Point sized
(ii) When object is placed between pole and infinity
Image Position – Between ‘P’ and ‘F’
Nature of image– Virtual, erect
Size – Diminished
CONVEX MIRROR- IMAGE FORMATION
Uses of Convex Mirror
(i) Convex mirrors are used as rear view mirrors in vehicles because
→ they always give an erect though diminished image.
→ they have a wider field of view as they are curved outwards.
(ii) Convex mirrors are used at blind turns and on points of merging traffic to facilitate
vision of both side traffic.
(iii) Used in shops as security mirror.
SIGN CONVENTION FOR REFLECTION BY SPHERICAL MIRROR
(i) The object is placed to the left of the mirror.
(ii) All distances parallel to the principal axis are measured from the pole of the mirror.
(iii) All distances measured in the direction of incident ray (along + X-axis) are taken as
positive and those measured against the direction of incident ray (along – X-axis) are
taken as negative.
(iv) Distance measured perpendicular to and above the principal axis are taken as
positive.
(v) Distances measured perpendicular to and below the principal axis are taken as
negative.
• Object distance = ‘u’ is always negative.
• Focal length of concave mirror = Negative
• Focal length of convex mirror = Positive
Mirror Formula
1/v + 1/u = 1/f
where, v = Image distance
u = Object distance
f = Focal length
Magnification of Spherical Mirrors
It is the ratio of the height of image to the height of object.
m = Height of image/Height of object
⇒ m = hi/ho
Also, m = -v/u
→ If ‘m’ is negative, image is real.
→ If ‘m’ is positive, image is virtual.
→ If hi = ho then m = 1, i.e., image is equal to object.
→ If hi > ho then m > 1 i.e., image is enlarged.
→ If hi < ho then m < 1 i.e., image is diminished.
• Magnification of plane mirror is always + 1.
‘+’ sign indicates virtual image.
‘1’ indicates that image is equal to object’s size.
• If ‘m’ is ‘+ve’ and less than 1, it is a convex mirror.
• If ‘m’ is ‘+ve’ and more than 1, it is a concave mirror.
• If ‘m’ is ‘-ve’, it is a concave mirror.
