Spherical Mirrors

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© 1998-2008 by Glenn Elert -- A Work in Progress
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Discussion

{discussion}

Geometric derivation of the magnification formula.

The magnification formula.

M =	hi	=	di
	ho		do

yeah

Geometric derivation of the spherical mirror formula.

more talk, talk, talk

The spherical mirror formula.

1	=	1	=	1
f		do		di

uh huh, fried taters

Summary

• The magnification formula.

  M =	hi	=	di
  	ho		do

• The spherical mirror formula.

  1	=	1	=	1
  f		do		di

Problems

practice

1. Write something.
   • Answer it.
2. Write something else.
   • Answer it.
3. Write something different.
   • Answer it.
4. Write something completely different.
   • Answer it.

conceptual

1. ray-diagrams.pdf
   The diagrams on page 1 of the accompanying pdf show an arrow placed at five different locations in front of a converging mirror. Using a ruler (or other straight edge) and the ray tracing methods described in this section, locate and draw the image of the arrow. For each object position, answer the following questions about the image.
   1. Where is the image in relation to the special points on the principal axis? (location)
   2. Is the image magnified or reduced? (size)
   3. Is the image upright or inverted? (orientation)
   4. Is the image real or virtual? (type)
2. ray-diagrams.pdf
   The diagrams on page 2 of the accompanying pdf show an arrow placed at five different locations in front of a diverging mirror. Using a ruler (or other straight edge) and the ray tracing methods described in this section, locate and draw the image of the arrow. For each object position, answer the following questions about the image.
   1. Where is the image in relation to the special points on the principal axis? (location)
   2. Is the image magnified or reduced? (size)
   3. Is the image upright or inverted? (orientation)
   4. Is the image real or virtual? (type)

Resources

• miscellaneous
  • Acoustic Mirrors [on opposite shores of the English Channel!], Lise Autogena
  • Sky Mirror, Anish Kapoor, Nottingham Playhouse

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