Reflection Spherical Mirrors B
Reflection Spherical Mirrors B
Reflection Spherical Mirrors B
Conclusion:
What is the nature of the image formed by a convex and a
concave mirror?
SPHERICAL MIRROR & RAY
DIAGRAMMING
The characteristics of the image
formed by a spherical mirror can be
determined using geometric optics.
The method involves drawing rays
emanating from one or more points
on an object.
The Law of Reflection applies and
certain key rays are defined.
KEY RAYS
Ray 1: A chief ray, or radial ray, is a
ray that is incident through the center
of curvature (C). This ray is reflected
back along its incident path, through
C.
Ray 2:A parallel ray is a ray that is
incident along a path parallel to the optic
axis and is reflected to the focal point (F).
Ray 3: A focal ray is a ray that passes
through (or appears to go through) the focal
point and is reflected parallel to the optic
axis.
Ray 4: A vertex ray is a ray passing through
the vertex of the mirror, is reflected at an
equal angle on the opposite side of the
principal axis.
Ray Diagramming:
DRAWING A RAY DIAGRAM FOR A CONCAVE MIRROR
Example 1
Draw a ray that travels
1 parallel to the axis
towards the mirror and
reflects through the focal
point in front of the mirror.
F F
2 Draw a ray that travels
through the focal point in
front of the mirror and
reflects parallel to the
axis.
DRAWING A RAY DIAGRAM FOR A CONCAVE MIRROR
Example 2
1
F F
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
CONCAVE MIRROR
(EXAMPLE 2)
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
The first ray comes in parallel to the optical axis and reflects
through the focal point.
The second ray comes through the focal point and reflects parallel
to the optical axis.
CONCAVE MIRROR
(EXAMPLE 2)
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
F F
Draw a ray that travels Draw a ray that travels
parallel to the axis towards towards the focal point
the mirror and reflects in a behind the mirror and
direction that makes it look reflects parallel to the
like it originated at the focal axis.
point behind the mirror.
DRAWING A RAY DIAGRAM FOR A CONVEX MIRROR
Example 2
1
2
F F
Draw a ray that travels Draw a ray that travels
parallel to the axis towards towards the focal point
the mirror and reflects in a behind the mirror and
direction that makes it look reflects parallel to the
like it originated at the focal axis.
point behind the mirror.
CONVEX MIRRORS
(CURVED OUT)
•
F
optical axis
Light rays that come in parallel to the optical axis reflect from
the focal point.
The focal point is considered virtual since sight lines, not light
rays, go through it.
CONVEX MIRROR
(EXAMPLE)
•
F
optical axis
CONVEX MIRROR
(EXAMPLE)
•
F
optical axis
•
F
optical axis
The second ray comes through the focal point and reflects
parallel to the optical axis.
CONVEX MIRROR
(EXAMPLE)
•
F
optical axis
The light rays don’t converge, but the sight lines do.
CONVEX MIRROR
(EXAMPLE)
•
F
optical axis
(V)
2. Convex mirror : between C and F