1. RAY DIAGRAMS FOR MIRRORS

2. CONCAVE MIRRORS
All ray diagrams start with a center line and the mirror

3. Next, put in the focal point (F) and the center of curvature (C)
Note: F is always closer to the mirror; C is twice as far as F
Next, put in the object as described in the problem. C F

4. You can get 3 types of images from a concave mirror
You can get 3 types of images from a concave mirror. The type of image is determined by the object distance. F C
do > R (note: R = distance from mirror to C)
IMAGE = real, inverted, smaller F C
R > do > f (note: f = focal length)
IMAGE = real, inverted, bigger F C
do < f
IMAGE = virtual, upright, bigger

5. - draw a ray parallel to the center line to the mirror THEN through F
RAY DIAGRAM: do > R
- draw a ray parallel to the center line to the mirror THEN through F
- draw a ray through F to the mirror THEN parallel to the center line
- draw a ray through C to the mirror then back through C F C
The point where the reflected rays intersect is where the image will be formed

6. RAY DIAGRAM: R > do > f
- draw a ray parallel to the center line to the mirror THEN through F
- draw a ray through F to the mirror THEN parallel to the center line
- draw a ray in line with C to the mirror then back through C F C

7. RAY DIAGRAM: do < f
- draw a ray parallel to the center line to the mirror THEN through F
- draw a ray in line with F to the mirror THEN parallel to the center line
- draw a ray in line with C to the mirror then back through C F C
Reflected rays do not meet in “real” space. Draw dotted lines back from reflected rays so that they intersect behind the mirror.

8. CONVEX MIRRORS
All ray diagrams start with a center line and the mirror

9. Next, put in the focal point (F) and the center of curvature (C)
Note: F & C are “behind” the mirror
Next, put in the object as described in the problem. F C

10. You can only get 1 type of image from a convex mirror: virtual, upright, smaller
- draw a ray parallel to the center line to the mirror THEN in line with F
- draw a ray through F to the mirror THEN parallel to the center line
- draw a ray to C to the mirror then back from C F C
Reflected rays do not meet in “real” space. Draw dotted lines back from reflected rays so that they intersect behind the mirror.