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This video tutorial lesson introduces the vocabulary of reflection (incident ray, reflected ray, angle of incidence, and angle of reflection) and describes and illustrates the law of reflection. The application of the law of reflection to the viewing of images in plane mirrors is explained.
- Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Two sets of rays from common points on an object are reflected by a flat mirror into the eye of an observer. The reflected rays seem to originate from behind the mirror, locating the virtual image.
- Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): (a) Parallel rays reflected from a large spherical mirror do not all cross at a common point. (b) If a spherical mirror is small compared with its radius of curvature, parallel rays are focused to a common point.
- Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Parallel rays of light reflected from a convex spherical mirror (small in size compared with its radius of curvature) seem to originate from a well-defined focal point at the focal distance \(f\) behind the mirror.
- Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): A case 1 image for a mirror. An object is farther from the converging mirror than its focal length. Rays from a common point on the object are traced using the rules in the text.
Aug 16, 2021 · We will use the law of reflection to understand how mirrors form images, and we will find that mirror images are analogous to those formed by lenses. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) helps illustrate how a flat mirror forms an image. Two rays are shown emerging from the same point, striking the mirror, and being reflected into the observer’s eye.
Apr 15, 2015 · But in front of the mirror, the rays behave exactly as if they had come from behind the mirror, so that is where the image is situated. Figure 1. Two sets of rays from common points on an object are reflected by a flat mirror into the eye of an observer. The reflected rays seem to originate from behind the mirror, locating the virtual image.
- OpenStax
- 2016
- Ray Diagrams
- Step-By-Step Guide to Drawing Ray Diagrams For Plane Mirrors
- Properties of Image Formed in Plane Mirror
- Worked Examples
Ray diagrams for plane mirrors are a straightforward way to visualize how images are formed by reflection. These diagrams help in understanding the path taken by light rays from an object to our eyes after reflecting off a mirror.
Step 1: Draw the Mirror and the Object
1. Begin by drawing a straight line to represent the plane mirror. Label the line as the mirror. 2. Choose a point or an object in front of the mirror. This is the object from which light rays will emanate. It’s common to represent the object as an arrow or a simple shape for clarity.
Step 2: Identify and Mark the Object Distance
1. Measure the distance from the object to the mirror. This distance is known as the object distance, often denoted by , identified as “Distance A” in this diagram. 2. “Distance B” is the image distance or the distance from the image to the mirror. 3. Distance A is equal to Distance B and the image size is the same size as the object size. 4. It’s crucial to maintain a consistent scale if you’re drawing a diagram for calculation purposes.
Step 3: Draw Reflected Rays To The Image
1. From the top of the image, draw two or more rays towards the mirror and the eye. These are the reflected rays, the paths of light traveling from the mirror. 1.1. Ray 1: Aim this ray towards the top of the eye 1.2. Ray 2: Aim this ray towards the bottom of the eye 2. These rays should be straight lines that strike the mirror at an incident point. 3. Behind the mirror, the reflected rays should be extended and the extensions are dotted or dashed to indicate that they are not actual paths of...
Same size as objectLaterally inverted (Left becomes right, right becomes left)UprightVirtualQuestion 1: Understanding Image Formation
Consider a plane mirror and an object placed 5 units in front of it. If a ray of light emanates from the top of the object and reflects off the mirror to an observer’s eye, how would you draw the ray diagram to locate the image? Describe the steps and the properties of the image formed.
Question 2: Critical Analysis of Ray Diagrams
Explain how the principle of laterally inverted images in plane mirrors is represented in ray diagrams. Use the concept of ray paths from an object to the observer’s eyes after reflection.
Question 3: Application of the Law of Reflection
A student draws a ray diagram with an angle of incidence of 30 degrees. However, the angle of reflection marked is 40 degrees. Critically evaluate this diagram in the context of the Law of Reflection. What corrections, if any, should be made?
Figure 25.43 (a) Case 2 images for mirrors are formed when a converging mirror has an object closer to it than its focal length. Ray 1 approaches parallel to the axis, ray 2 strikes the center of the mirror, and ray 3 approaches the mirror as if it came from the focal point. (b) A magnifying mirror showing the reflection. (credit: Mike Melrose ...
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Images 1 and 2 result from rays that reflect from only a single mirror, but image 1,2 is formed by rays that reflect from both mirrors. This is shown in the ray-tracing diagram in (\PageIndex{3b}\). To find image 1,2, you have to look behind the corner of the two mirrors. Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\). Two mirrors can produce multiple images.
