1. Reflection in Curved Mirrors
OPTICS
Reflection in Curved Mirrors

2. Types of Mirrors Convex (Diverging Mirror) Concave (Converging Mirror)
Makes parallel rays diverge away from each other
Concave (Converging Mirror)
Makes parallel rays converge towards each other

3. Types of Mirrors
Applications of Concave Mirrors
Satellite Dish

4. Types of Mirrors
Applications of Convex Mirrors
Security Mirrors

5. Points of Interest (Concave Mirror)
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
Object
Focus
Vertex
Principal Axis
Centre of Curvature

6. Points of Interest (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
Focus

7. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
Object
Focus
Vertex
Principal Axis
Centre of Curvature

8. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
LINE 1
Draw a straight line from the top of the object straight to the mirror (parallel to the principal axis
Then, from that point in the mirror, reflect the light ray off the mirror, through the focus.

9. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
Object
Principal Axis
Focus
Vertex
Centre of Curvature
LINE 1

10. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
LINE 2
Draw a second line from the top of the object, through the focus to the mirror.
Then, reflect the light ray straight back, parallel to the principal axis

11. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
Object
Principal Axis
Focus
Vertex
Centre of Curvature
LINE 2
LINE 1

12. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
LINE 3
Draw a line from the top of the object, through the centre of curvature to the mirror.
Then, reflect the light ray straight back, along the same line

13. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
LINE 3
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
Object
Principal Axis
Focus
Vertex
Centre of Curvature
LINE 2
LINE 1

14. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
Finally, the top of the image is located at the intersection point of your light rays after they reflect off the mirror.
Note: You only need to draw two of the three lines to locate an image.

15. Finding an Image (Concave Mirror)
FRONT OF MIRROR
BACK OF MIRROR
LINE 3
Object
Principal Axis
Focus
Vertex
Centre of Curvature
LINE 2
IMAGE
LINE 1

16. Describing an Image To describe an image use SALT
S - Size (Bigger or Smaller than Object)
A - Attitude (Upright or Inverted)
L - Location (In Front or Behind Mirror)
T - Type (Real or Virtual)

17. Describing an Image FRONT OF MIRROR BACK OF MIRROR Object
Principal Axis
Focus
Vertex
Centre of Curvature
IMAGE
LINE 2
S – Smaller
A – Inverted
L – In Front of Mirror
T – Real Image
LINE 1

18. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
Focus

19. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
LINE 1
Draw a straight line from the top of the object straight to the mirror (parallel to the principal axis
Then, from that point in the mirror, reflect the light ray off the mirror, in line with the focus.
Then, extend the reflected ray into the virtual space behind the mirror

20. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
Focus
LINE 1

21. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
LINE 2
Draw a straight line from the top of the object towards the focus.
Then, from that point in the mirror, reflect the light ray off the mirror, parallel to the principal axis.
Then, extend the reflected ray into the virtual space behind the mirror

22. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
LINE 2
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
Focus
LINE 1

23. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
LINE 3
Draw a straight line from the top of the object towards the centre of curvature.
Then, from that point in the mirror, reflect the light ray off the mirror, right back along that line.
Then, extend the reflected ray into the virtual space behind the mirror

24. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
LINE 2
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
Focus
LINE 3
LINE 1

25. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
Finally, the top of the image is located at the intersection point of your light rays after they reflect off the mirror.
Note: You only need to draw two of the three lines to locate an image.

26. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
LINE 2
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
IMAGE
Focus
LINE 3
LINE 1

27. Describing an Image To describe an image use SALT
S - Size (Bigger or Smaller than Object)
A - Attitude (Upright or Inverted)
L - Location (In Front or Behind Mirror)
T - Type (Real or Virtual)

28. Finding an Image (Convex Mirror)
BACK OF MIRROR
FRONT OF MIRROR
Object
LINE 2
Centre of Curvature
Vertex
Principal Axis
IMAGE
Focus
LINE 3
LINE 1
S – Smaller
A – Upright
L – Behind Mirror
T – Virtual Image