St. Agnes Academy, Inc.

Junior High School

Legazpi City

LEARNING GUIDE for STUDENTS

TOPIC: Mirror Equation and Magnification Equation

TOPIC: Mirror Equation and Magnification Equation

Content Standard
The Learners demonstrate an understanding of the images formed by the different types of mirrors and
lenses.

Performance Standards
The Learners shall be able to:
1. construct correct ray diagram of the image formed by mirrors or lenses;
2. apply the concepts and principles learned in conducting laboratory experiments and in making the
laboratory report; and,
3. make informed choices on selecting the right type of mirrors and lenses for specific purposes.

Learning Competencies
The Learners should be able to:
1. predict the qualitative characteristics (orientation, type, and magnification) of images formed by
plane and curved mirrors and lenses
2. identify ways in which the properties of mirrors and lenses determine their use in optical
instruments (e.g., cameras and binoculars)
Specific Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
A 1. determine the spherical mirror equation in describing the images formed in curved mirrors through
problem-set exercises;
A 2. solve problems using mirror equation and magnification equation through the gradual release of
responsibility model;
M 3. analyze the characteristics of an image formed in spherical mirrors using the mirror and
magnification equations through problem solving;
T 4. formulate own real-life problem where mirror equation and magnification are used in finding the
required variable in the created problem through word problem making.

Reference/Link
 Exploring Life Through Science 10 Textbook pp. 304-305

1|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

 Benedicite! Congratulations on successfully hurdling the First
Quarter! I am proud and grateful for all of your dedication and
persistence. You have done well, and I am much sure that you will
again do your best in our first module for the Second Quarter.

In the previous learning module, you have learned how to identify

the characteristics of the image formed using ray diagrams in
spherical mirrors. Ray diagrams drawn to scale are useful in
determining the location, orientation, size, and type of the image
formed in the mirror. However, for an accurate description of the
image, a more analytical technique is needed, so we will be using the
mirror equation and magnification equation to accurately describe the
image formed by concave and convex mirror
Image source: https://encrypted-
tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSy6H5KAmKitYPqvqk_h0rFs5b-
BpsFZeQ9QQ&usqp=CAU

It is another day of fun-filled learning. Read the general introduction about the mirror equation and
magnification equation below to be oriented on the important terminology used in this topic. Have
fun!

The mirror equation and magnification equation are based on the law of reflection and provide
the relationships between:

𝒇 = 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓

𝒅𝒐 = 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝒅𝒊 = 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝑴 = 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆
𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕

The mirror equation is given below:

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= +
𝒇 𝒅𝒐 𝒅𝒊
(i) The sign of the focal length determines the type of mirror

f is positive Concave mirror

f is negative Convex Mirror

2|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

(ii) The object distance 𝒅𝒐 is always positive. This means that the object is located in front of
the mirror.

(iii) The sign of the image distance determines the location (in front or at the back) and type
(real or virtual) of the image formed.

di is positive In front of the mirror, real image

di is negative Behind the mirror, virtual image

The magnification equation is given below:

𝒉𝒊 −𝒅𝒊
𝑴= =
𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐
Where:
𝑴 = 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏; 𝒉𝒐 = 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆; 𝒉𝒊 = 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆;
𝒅𝒐 = 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆; 𝒉𝒊 = 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

(iv) The absolute value of magnification |M| gives us the image size when compare to the
object size

|M| = 1 Image is of the same size as the object

|M| > 1 Image is larger than the object
|M|< 1 Image is smaller than the object

(v) The sign of the magnification determines the orientation (either upright or inverted) of the
image produced. In identifying the orientation of the image based on the sign of M, we
determine it before getting the absolute value of M.

|+M| Positive Upright image

|–M| Negative Inverted image

3|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

 Before we solve the problems, let us first visualize through ray diagrams the
location of focal length 𝑓 , image distance 𝑑𝑖 , object distance 𝑑𝑜, image
height ℎ𝑖 , and object height ℎ𝑜 in both concave and convex mirrors

A CONCAVE MIRROR, WHEN THE TYPE OF IMAGE PRODUCED IS REAL

Take a look at Figure 1a below, which labels the object (upright black arrow) and the image produced
(inverted violet arrow). The object is located beyond (center of curvature); the intersection of the
parallel ray and focal ray determines the location of the image.

Recalling the characteristics of the image produced in our previous module, we will have the following
image characteristics, as summarized below:

Location Between C and F (in front of mirror)

Orientation Inverted
Size Reduced
Type Real

Take a look at the locations and the signs of focal length 𝑓 and image distance 𝑑𝑖 in Figure 1a
above.
i. The focal length 𝑓 is positive because it is a concave mirror.
ii. The image distance is positive since it is located in front of the mirror, as shown in the illustration.
a positive image distance also tells us that the type of image formed is a real image.
iii. The object distance is always positive.
iv. The object height ℎ𝑜 and image height ℎ𝑖 tells us the size of the object and image, respectively.

4|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

 A CONCAVE MIRROR, WHEN THE IMAGE PRODUCED IS VIRTUAL

Now let us look at Figure 1b below, which again labels the object (upright black arrow) and the image
produced (upright violet arrow). When an object is located between the concave mirror and the focal
point F, we notice that the parallel ray and chief ray do not converge in a common point in front of
the concave mirror. However, when we project the reflected rays behind the mirror, the two rays
appear to come to a common point.

Recalling the characteristics of the image produced when an object is placed between the concave
mirror and the focal point F, we will have the following image characteristics, as summarized below:

Location Behind the mirror

Orientation Upright
Size Magnified
Type Virtual

Let us again take a look at the locations and the signs of focal length 𝑓 and image distance 𝑑𝑖 in
Figure 1b above.

v. The focal length 𝑓 is positive because it is a concave mirror.

vi. The image distance is negative since it is located behind the mirror, as shown in the
illustration. a negative image distance also tells us that the type of image formed is a virtual
image.
vii. The object distance is always positive.
viii. The object height ℎ𝑜 and image height ℎ𝑖 tells us the size of the object and image,
respectively.

5|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

 A CONVEX MIRROR THAT ALWAYS PRODUCED A VIRTUAL IMAGE
Figure 2 illustrates the location of the image formed, image distance 𝒅𝒊, object distance 𝒅𝒐, and focal
length 𝒇 in a convex mirror.

The image characteristics produced by a convex mirror, regardless of the object distance in front of
a convex mirror, will always produce the following image characteristics, as summarized below:

Location Behind the mirror

Orientation Upright
Size Magnified
Type Virtual

At this point, take a look at the locations and the signs of focal length 𝑓 and image distance 𝑑𝑖 in
Figure 2 above.

i. The focal length 𝑓 is positive because it is a concave mirror.

ii. The image distance is negative since it is located behind the mirror, as shown in the
illustration. a negative image distance also tells us that the type of image formed is a virtual
image.
iii. The object distance is always positive.
iv. The object height ℎ𝑜 and image height ℎ𝑖 tells us the size of the object and image,
respectively.

You are now ready to use the mirror equation and magnification equation in identifying the image
characteristics in concave and convex mirror. Let’s start by providing you helpful tips to ace this
topic.

6|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

SAMPLE PROBLEM # 1
Study the illustration below.

Sample Problem # 1: A 5.00 cm high iron man figurine is placed 40.0 cm in front of a concave mirror
with a focal length of 10.0 cm. What will be the (a) image distance, (b) height of the image, (c)
magnification, and (d) image characteristics?

7|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

(a) Solving for the image distance
Given: Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒇 = 10.0 𝑐𝑚 We use the mirror equation, = +𝒅
𝒇 𝒅𝒐 𝒊
𝒅𝒐 = 40.0 𝑐𝑚
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
Deriving the 𝒅𝒊 , we have, =𝒇−𝒅
𝒅𝒊 𝒐
Required: Solution:
1 1 1
𝒅𝒊 = ? = −
𝑑𝑖 10.0 𝑐𝑚 40.0 𝑐𝑚
1 3
=
𝑑𝑖 40.0 𝑐𝑚
3𝑑𝑖 = 40.0𝑐𝑚
3𝑑𝑖 40.0 𝑐𝑚
=
3 3
𝒅𝒊 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟑 𝒄𝒎
Final Answer:
Therefore, the image distance is +13.3 cm. A positive image distance tells us that the image is
formed in front of the mirror and is real.

(b) Solving for the image height

Given: Formula:
We use the relationship between the magnification equation ,
𝒉𝒐 = 5.00 𝑐𝑚
𝒅𝒐 = 40.0 𝑐𝑚
𝒅𝒊 = 13.3 𝑐𝑚 𝒉𝒊 −𝒅𝒊
= , deriving the 𝒉𝒊, we have
𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐

−𝒅𝒊
𝒉𝒊 = 𝒉𝒐 ( )
𝒅𝒐
Required: Solution:

𝒉𝒊 = ? −13.3 𝑐𝑚
ℎ𝑖 = 5.00 𝑐𝑚 ( )
40.0 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = −1.63 𝑐𝑚

Final Answer:

Therefore, the image height is 1.63 cm. The negative sign tells us that the image is inverted

8|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

(c) Solving for the magnification
Given: Formula:
We use the magnification equation,
𝒅𝒐 = 40.0 𝑐𝑚 −𝒅
𝒅𝒊 = 13.3 𝑐𝑚 𝑴= 𝒅𝒊
𝒐

Required: Solution:
−13.3 𝑐𝑚
𝑴 =? 𝑀=
40.0 𝑐𝑚
𝑀 = −0.333
Final Answer: Therefore, the magnification of the image is 0.333
The negative sign indicates that the orientation of the image is inverted
(d) identifying the image characteristics
The results indicate that the image has the following characteristics:
Location: 13.3 cm in The negative 𝑑𝑖 indicates that the image is behind the mirror
front of the mirror
Orientation: Inverted Since 𝑀 = −0.333, the negative sign indicates that the image is inverted
Size: Reduced 𝑀 = 0.333. M<1 means that the image is reduced
Type: Real Image The positive 𝑑𝑖 indicates that the image is a real image
SAMPLE PROBLEM # 2
Study the illustration below.

Sample Problem #2: A 4-cm red Christmas ball is located 8cm in front of a convex mirror. The focal
length of the mirror is 6 𝑐𝑚. Find the (a) image distance, (b) image height, (c) magnification and (d)
image characteristics.

9|PHYSICS 10 SLM 3-5

 (a) Solving for the image distance
Given: Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒇 = −6 𝑐𝑚 We use the mirror equation, = +𝒅
𝒇 𝒅𝒐 𝒊
𝒅𝒐 = 8 𝑐𝑚
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
Deriving the 𝒅𝒊 , we have, =𝒇−𝒅
𝒅𝒊 𝒐
Required: Solution:
1 1 1
𝒅𝒊 = ? = −
𝑑𝑖 −6 𝑐𝑚 8 𝑐𝑚

1 7
=−
𝑑𝑖 24 𝑐𝑚

−7𝑑𝑖 = 24 𝑐𝑚

−7𝑑𝑖 24 𝑐𝑚
=
−7 −7

𝒅𝒊 = −𝟑. 𝟒𝟑 𝒄𝒎
Final Answer:

Therefore, the image distance is -3.43 cm. A negative image distance tells us that the image is
formed behind the mirror and is virtual.

(b) Solving for the image height

Given: Formula:
We use the relationship between the magnification equation,
𝒉𝒐 = 4 𝑐𝑚 𝒉𝒊 −𝒅𝒊
𝒅𝒐 = 8 𝑐𝑚 = , deriving the 𝒉𝒊, we have
𝒅𝒊 = −3.43 𝑐𝑚 𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐

−𝒅𝒊
𝒉𝒊 = 𝒉𝒐 ( )
𝒅𝒐
Required: Solution:
−(−3.43 𝑐𝑚)
𝒉𝒊 = ? ℎ𝑖 = 4 𝑐𝑚 [ ]
8 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = 1.72 𝑐𝑚

Final Answer:
Therefore, the image height is 1.72 cm

10 | P H Y S I C S 1 0 S L M 3 - 5
 (c) Solving for the magnification

Given: Formula:
We use the magnification equation,
𝒅𝒐 = 8 𝑐𝑚
𝒅𝒊 = −3.43 𝑐𝑚 −𝒅𝒊
𝑴=
𝒅𝒐
Required: Solution:
−(−3.43 𝑐𝑚)
𝑴 =? 𝑀=[ ]
8 𝑐𝑚

𝑀 = 0.429
Final Answer:
Therefore, the magnification of the image is 0.429
The positive sign indicates that the orientation of the image is upright

(d) identifying the image characteristics

The results indicate that the image has the following characteristics:
Location: 3.43 cm behind the mirror The negative 𝑑𝑖 indicates that the image is behind the mirror
Orientation: Upright Since 𝑀 = |+0.429|, the positive sign indicates that the
image is upright
Size: Reduced 𝑀 = 0.429. M<1 means that the image is reduced
Type: Real Image The negative 𝑑𝑖 indicates that the image is a virtual image

11 | P H Y S I C S 1 0 S L M 3 - 5
 St. Agnes Academy, Inc.
Legazpi City
A.Y 2020-2021

ANSWER KEY

Practice Exercises 16.4

From Exploring Life Through Science Text Book Physics, pp. 307

For Item No. 1

(a) Radius of Curvature (R)
Given: Formula:
𝒇 = 22.5 𝑐𝑚 We use the mirror equation, 𝑹 = 𝟐𝒇
𝒅𝒐 = 36.0 𝑐𝑚
Required: Solution:
𝑅 = 2(22.5 𝑐𝑚)
𝑹 =?
𝑹 = 𝟒𝟓 𝒄𝒎
Final Answer:
Therefore, the radius of curvature is 45 cm

(b) location of the image

Given: Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒇 = 22.5 𝑐𝑚 We use the mirror equation, = +𝒅
𝒇 𝒅𝒐 𝒊
𝒅𝒐 = 36.0 𝑐𝑚
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
Deriving the 𝒅𝒊 , we have, =𝒇−𝒅
𝒅𝒊 𝒐
Required: Solution:
1 1 1
𝒅𝒊 = ? = −
𝑑𝑖 22.5 𝑐𝑚 36.0 𝑐𝑚

1 8 5
= −
𝑑𝑖 180 𝑐𝑚 180 𝑐𝑚

1 3
=
𝑑𝑖 180 𝑐𝑚
3𝑑𝑖 = 180 𝑐𝑚
3𝑑𝑖 180 𝑐𝑚
=
3 3
𝒅𝒊 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎
Final Answer:
Since the image distance is positive, it tells us that the image is formed in front of the mirror.

12 | P H Y S I C S 1 0 S L M 3 - 5
(c) Image description: The image is formed in front of the mirror and a real image.
For Item No. 2

(a) Solving for the magnification

Given: Formula:
We use the magnification equation,
𝒅𝒐 = 50.0 𝑐𝑚
𝒅𝒊 = −30.0 𝑐𝑚 𝒅
𝑴 = |− 𝒅 𝒊 |
𝒐
Required: Solution:
−30.0 𝑐𝑚
𝑴 =? 𝑀 = ( |− |)
50.0 𝑐𝑚

𝑀 = |+0.60|

𝑀 = 0.60
Final Answer:
Therefore, the magnification of the image is 0.60

(b) solving for focal length

Given: Formula:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒅𝒐 = 50.0 𝑐𝑚 We use the mirror equation, = +𝒅
𝒇 𝒅𝒐 𝒊
𝒅𝒊 = −30.0 𝑐𝑚
Required: Solution:
1 1 1
𝒇 =? = +
𝑓 50.0 𝑐𝑚 −30.0 𝑐𝑚
1 3 5
= −
𝑓 150 𝑐𝑚 150 𝑐𝑚
1 −2
=
𝑓 150 𝑐𝑚
−2𝑓 = 150 𝑐𝑚
−2𝑓 150 𝑐𝑚
=
−2 −2
𝒇 = − 𝟕𝟓. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎
Final Answer:
The focal length is 75.0 cm

(c) Kind of mirror used

Since f has a negative sign, therefore, the kind of mirror used is a convex mirror.

13 | P H Y S I C S 1 0 S L M 3 - 5