Question

A convex mirror has a radius of curvature of 50.0cm. Locate the images for object distances of (a) 50.0cm (b) 25.0cm and (c) 12.5cm. What kind of images are they (real or virtual; upright or inverted)? (d) Draw a ray diagram for part (a).

Answer 1

focal length of convex mirror, f = -R/2

= -50/2

= -25 cm

a) object distnace, u = 50 cm

let v is the image distance.

use, 1/u + 1/v = 1/f

1/v = 1/f - 1/u

1/v = 1/(-25) - 1/50

v = -16.67 cm

image is virtual and upright

b) object distnace, u = 25 cm

let v is the image distance.

use, 1/u + 1/v = 1/f

1/v = 1/f - 1/u

1/v = 1/(-25) - 1/25

v = -12.5 cm

image is virtual and upright

c) object distnace, u = 12.5 cm

let v is the image distance.

use, 1/u + 1/v = 1/f

1/v = 1/f - 1/u

1/v = 1/(-25) - 1/12.5

v = -8.33 cm

image is virtual and upright