Question
Indicate the single mirror type (concave or convex) and object position that will lead to the
following kind of images. If no single mirror system can produce the particular image indicate that this is so.
A) virtual, enlarged, upright image.
B) real, enlarged, inverted image.
C) virtual, reduced in size, upright image.
D) real, upright, enlarged image.
E) virtual, enlarged, inverted image.
F) real, reduced in size, inverted image.
G) tiny inverted image very near focal point.
H) huge image at “infinity”.
I) real, inverted image that is the same size as the object.
Explanation / Answer
A positive object distance is associated with a real object, and a negative object distance with a virtual object. Real images with positive image distances, and virtual images with negative image distances. An erect image has positive magnification, and an inverted image negative magnification. If you have a concave mirror, only virtual images are upright. Convex mirrors always have an image with magnification < 1 (which means it's smaller). Convex mirrors never form real images. Concave mirrors form a real image when the object is farther away from the mirror than the focal point. If the object is between the center of the curve of the mirror and the focal point, you get an enlarged, real image. Basically, use logic to fill it in... A. The object would be in between the focal point and mirror. The mirror is concave. B. Concave mirror (convex magnification is < 1). C. The mirror is convex with the object in front of it (positive object distance). D. The mirror is concave (enlarged image that is upright). E. Concave mirror (the image is enlarged). The object distance is positive, and the object is farther away from the mirror than the focal point. F. The object distance is positive and the mirror is concave. I. The mirror is concave. In this case, the object is at the center of the mirror's curve, so the object and image are the same distance away from the mirror (they're the same size).