Images in Curved Mirrors

all mirrors are not flat...

Can you think of examples of curved mirrors?

• Flashlights•Makeup mirrors• Security mirrors

2 Types of Curved Mirrors

• Concave• Convex

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Concave Mirror

• Also known as a converging mirror• Caves in•Middle bulges away from you

Convex Mirror

• Also known as a diverging mirror• Caves OUT•Middle bulges TOWARDS you

Concave Mirrors

• Reflected rays always converge in a concave mirror• This is why they are also

called converging mirrors

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TERMS

Centre of Curvature (C)

• Centre of the sphere• It is 2 times the length

of the focus (F)

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Focus (F)

• A point where parallel light rays come together (converge)

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Principle Axis (P.A.)

• A line through the centre of curvature to the midpoint of the mirror

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Vertex (V)

• The point where the principle axis meets the mirror

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How to locate the Image in a Concave Mirror

1. From the top of the object, draw a light ray parallel to the P.A.

• When it hits the mirror, it should reflect through the focus

How to locate the Image in a Concave Mirror

2. From the top of the object, draw a light ray through the focus

• When it hits the mirror, it should reflect back, parallel to the P.A.

How to locate the Image in a Concave Mirror

3. Where the two light rays intersect (cross) that represents the top of the image

• Draw in your image

Try it out:Draw the focus 4 cm from the vertex. So this means C will be 8 cm from the vertex (2F). Find the reflected image.

Real Image Virtual Image

an image that is formed IN FRONT of the mirrorThe image can be projected on a screen

an image that is formed BEHIND the mirrorThe image CANNOT be projected on a screen

Summary of Images in a Concave Mirror Pg 499