A physics student investigates image formation with a plane mirror
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Light — Reflection and Refraction · Light — Reflection and Refraction
Problem
A physics student investigates image formation with a plane mirror.
The student places a small object of height ho at a distance so in front of a flat, silvered glass surface. The mirror produces an image that the student observes while changing the object’s distance from the mirror.
Answer the following about the characteristics of the image produced by a plane mirror.
(a) Describe, without using equations, two observable properties that demonstrate the image is the same size as the object.
(b) Using appropriate relationships among object distance, image distance, and focal length for mirrors, show analytically why an image formed by a plane mirror must be the same size as the object no matter what value so has.
(c) Explain why the location of the focal point for a plane mirror is consistent with the result obtained in part (b).