Concave, Convex, and Plane Mirrors By: Marci, Tyler, and John

Concave Mirrors A concave mirror is a mirror that is curved inward Concave mirrors can form real images that are projected out in front of the mirror at the place where the light focuses Concave mirrors are the only mirrors that can produce both real and virtual images

Convex Mirrors Described as a portion of a sphere that has been sliced away. Has an outward curvature. Also referred to as a diverging mirror.

Convex Mirrors Convex mirrors produce VIRTUAL images that are located somewhere behind the mirror. It is considered a virtual image because light does not actually pass through the image location. It only appears that was due to reflecting light diverging from this virtual image location.

Virtual Images An image formed when outgoing rays from a point on an object always diverge. The image appears to be at the point of divergence. Because the rays never converge the image cannot be projected onto a screen.

Plane Mirrors These are the mirrors we use on a daily basis Images are reversed from front to back instead of left to right Essentially - the object and image for a plane mirror lie on opposite sides, but at the same distance from the mirror The image is virtual, but the size and object are the same.

Overview of the Different Mirrors Concave Mirrors: curved inward (like a cave) Convex Mirrors: curved outward Plane Mirrors: flat, no curvature

Real Images Real images occur when objects are placed outside the focal length of a converging lens or outside the focal length of a converging mirror. The intersection of the two rays gives the position of the image. The position of the image can be found through the equation:

Differences between the Images Real images are those where light actually converges, whereas virtual images are locations from where light appears to have converged.

Q&A True or False: A concave mirror curves out. True or False: A convex mirror curves out. True or False: We use plane mirrors every day. True or False: Convex mirrors can produce a real image. True or False: Real images and virtual images are basically the same thing. True or False: Plane mirrors produce virtual images. True or False: Convex mirrors can create real and virtual images. True or False: You can calculate a real image using an equation. True or False: Plane mirrors produce images left to right. True or False: Concave mirrors can produce real and virtual images.

References Classroom, T. P. (1996). Image characteristics. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from Physics Classroom, http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refln/Lesson-2/Image-Characteristics Images, Real and Virtual. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from PA.MSU.EDU, https://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/2000fall/PHY232/lectures/lenses/images.html Mirror Pros. (2014). Convex Mirrors. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from MirrorPros, http://www.mirrorpros.com/convex-mirror.htm Plane Mirrors. (2001, January ). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from CBAkken, http://www.cbakken.net/obookshelf/pmirror.html Soceity, The Optical. (2017). The Focal Length. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from Optics4Kids, http://www.optics4kids.org/home/content/other-resources/articles/lenses-and-geometrical-optics/ TutorVista. (2017). Plane Mirror Reflection. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from Physics Tutor Vista, http://physics.tutorvista.com/light/plane-mirror.html What is a Concave Mirror? - Definition, uses & equation - video & lesson transcript (2003). Retrieved from http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-concave-mirror-definition-uses-equation.html Villanueva, J. C. (2009, November 17). Convex Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from Universe Today, http://www.universetoday.com/45228/convex-mirror/