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Eve Ross - 10.3a - Note - Images in Concave Mirrors

1) A concave mirror is a mirror whose reflecting surface curves inward. It forms converging images. Important definitions include the center of curvature (C), focal point (F), and vertex (V). 2) There are rules for drawing ray diagrams with concave mirrors: parallel rays passing through F are reflected through F; rays passing through C reflect back along the same path; rays striking V follow the law of reflection. 3) Images can be real or virtual. Real images form when reflected rays converge in front of the mirror. Virtual images occur when rays diverge but can be traced back to form an image. The position of the object determines the image characteristics described by SALT: size, attitude

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31 views

Eve Ross - 10.3a - Note - Images in Concave Mirrors

1) A concave mirror is a mirror whose reflecting surface curves inward. It forms converging images. Important definitions include the center of curvature (C), focal point (F), and vertex (V). 2) There are rules for drawing ray diagrams with concave mirrors: parallel rays passing through F are reflected through F; rays passing through C reflect back along the same path; rays striking V follow the law of reflection. 3) Images can be real or virtual. Real images form when reflected rays converge in front of the mirror. Virtual images occur when rays diverge but can be traced back to form an image. The position of the object determines the image characteristics described by SALT: size, attitude

Uploaded by

Eve Ross
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SNC2D

10.3a - Images in Concave Mirrors

Types of Curved Mirrors Concave mirror: a mirror whose reflecting


surface curves inward- converging mirror

Convex mirror: a mirror whose reflecting


surface curves outward- diverging mirror

Important Definitions of Mirrors Center of curvature (C) Center of a


sphere whose surface has been used as
a mirror

Pa: the line that c passes through the


midpoint of the mirror

V: the point where pa meets the mirror

F: halfway between the vertex and c.


when parallel light rays are shone along
the pa, the reflected rays converge and
cross at the focal point

Rules to draw Ray Diagrams

1) Parallel rays are reflected through F


2) Rays passing through F are reflected parallel to the P.A.
3) Rays passing through C are reflected back along the same path
4) Rays striking V follow the laws of reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection)

HINT: If the reflected rays diverge (reflect AWAY from each other) trace them back behind the
mirror to find a virtual image.
Real: Images when reflected rays converge in front of the mirror
Virtual: Images when reflected rays diverge but can be traced back to

Concave Mirrors

How to draw a Ray Diagram for a Concave Mirror

1. If not already done for you: Draw a horizontal line (P.A). Mark a Center of
curvature, C, and draw a curve using a compass. Mark focal point, F, half way
between C and V. Draw the object with its base on the P.A.

2. Draw the first ray from the top of the object, straight across, hit the mirror,
and bounce back through F.

3. Draw the second ray from the top of the object, go through F, hit the mirror
and reflect back parallel to the P.A.
4. Draw a third ray through C, it will reflect back upon itself (because it is a
normal)

5. Draw the top of the image where the reflective rays intersect. The bottom of
the image will be at the P.A.
**Note: you only need 2 intersecting Rays in order to find the image**
What is the SALT for this image?
S –smaller
A – inverted
L – in front of the mirror (b/w C and F)
T - real

Ray Diagrams will differ depending on where the object is placed...so, let’s try changing the
position of the object:) Please complete the Handout “ Ray Diagrams of Concave Mirrors”
below. It is also on a separate document on google classroom.

Handout: Ray Diagrams of Concave Mirrors

1. Object is beyond “C”

Steps:
Image Location

Size

Attitude

Location

Type

2. Object is between C and F

Steps:
Image Location

Size

Attitude

Location

Type

3. Object is at “F”

Steps:
Image Location

Size

Attitude

Location

Type

4. Object is in front of “F”

Steps:
Image Location

Size

Attitude

Location

Type
Summary - Images in a Concave Mirror

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