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Problems with Concave/ Convex Mirrors

Use the mirror formula to help you solve the various questions below

Symbols
1 1 1 1 1 1
Formula + = + =
do di f u v f
u or d o Object distance from mirror, is positive if object in front of mirror,
Negative if object is back of mirror ( virtual object)

v or di Image distance from mirror, is positive if image is real

Is negative is image is behind the mirror ( virtual image)

F is positive for concave mirrors

f
F is negative for convex mirrors
C Centre of curvature, C = 2 × f
Magnification is positive means upright image
M
Magnification is negative means inverted image
image height hi d v
M m= = =− i =−
object height ho do u

Find the image mathematically and using a ray diagram. Find the magnification ratio. Always use a one cm
high object.

1. An object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 10 cm.

2. An object is placed 10 cm in front of a concave mirror with 12 cm radius of curvature.
3. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a concave mirror with 10 cm focal length.
4. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a convex mirror with 8 cm focal length.
5. An object is placed 3 cm in front of a convex mirror with 5 cm focal length.

Locate the image mathematically for all curved mirrors and using a ray diagram for all mirrors. Use an object
height of one centimeter. Calculate the image distance, the image height, and the magnification ratio. Describe
the image characteristics for each (type of image, relationship between di and do, relationship between hi and
ho, and the image orientation).

1. Locate the image produced by a plane mirror for a triangle.

2. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 2 cm. Ans: 3.33 cm, -0.67
cm; -0.67
3. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 5 cm. Ans: 5 cm; -1
cm; -1
4. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a convex mirror with a focal length of 2 cm. Ans: -1.43 cm; 0.29
cm; 0.29
5. An object is placed 5 cm in front of a convex mirror with a radius of curvature of 5 cm. Ans: -1.67 cm;
0.33 cm; 0.33