"The law of reflection states: The **angle of reflection**, $\theta_r$, equals the **angle of incidence**, $\theta_i$. ... The angles are measured relative to the line perpendicular to the surface at the point where the light ray strikes it. This perpendicular line is also called the *normal line*, or just the *normal*."
"An image in a mirror is said to be a **virtual image**, as opposed to a **real image**. A virtual image is formed when light rays appear to diverge from a point without actually doing so."
"A mirror that curves inward is called a **concave mirror**, whereas one that curves outward is called a **convex mirror**."
"The basic equation that describes both lenses and mirrors is the lens/mirror equation $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{d_i} + \frac{1}{d_o}$."
"Magnification, *m*, is the ratio of the size of the image, *h<sub>i</sub>*, to the size of the object, *h<sub>o</sub>*. ... $m = \frac{h_i}{h_o} = \frac{-d_i}{d_o}$"
"A negative *d<sub>i</sub>* indicates a virtual image; a positive value indicates a real image. A negative *h<sub>i</sub>* indicates an inverted image; a positive value indicates an erect image. For concave mirrors, *f* is positive; for convex mirrors, *f* is negative."
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"The law of reflection states: The angle of reflection, $\theta_r$, equals the angle of incidence, $\theta_i$. ... The angles are measured relative to the line perpendicular to the surface at the point where the light ray strikes it. This perpendicular line is also called the normal line, or just the normal."
"An image in a mirror is said to be a virtual image, as opposed to a real image. A virtual image is formed when light rays appear to diverge from a point without actually doing so."
"A mirror that curves inward is called a concave mirror, whereas one that curves outward is called a convex mirror."
"The basic equation that describes both lenses and mirrors is the lens/mirror equation $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{d_i} + \frac{1}{d_o}$."
"Magnification, m, is the ratio of the size of the image, h<sub>i</sub>, to the size of the object, h<sub>o</sub>. ... $m = \frac{h_i}{h_o} = \frac{-d_i}{d_o}$"
"A negative d<sub>i</sub> indicates a virtual image; a positive value indicates a real image. A negative h<sub>i</sub> indicates an inverted image; a positive value indicates an erect image. For concave mirrors, f is positive; for convex mirrors, f is negative."
What you'll learn
- State the law of reflection and apply it, measuring all angles from the normal
- Distinguish specular reflection from diffuse reflection and explain why rough surfaces are visible from many angles
- Explain how a plane mirror forms a virtual image and show that the image distance equals the object distance
- Classify mirrors as concave or convex and predict the type and orientation of the image from the object's position relative to the focal point
- Apply the lens/mirror equation, the magnification equation, and R = 2f to solve curved-mirror problems, using correct sign conventions
Prerequisites
Slides
Interactive presentations perfect for visual learners • In development
Slides
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