Question

describe how light reflecting from a mirror can produce an image. In particular, explain how mirrors can produce images that are larger or smaller than life size, as well as upright or inverted.

Answer 1

Answer:

A larger image is produced when  $d_i$ > $d_o$

A smaller image is produced when $d_i$ < $d_o$

An upright image  is produced when m is positive

An upright image  is produced when m is negative

Explanation:

The mirror equation is given as follows;

$\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{d_i} + \dfrac{1}{d_o}$

$m =-\dfrac{d_i}{d_o} = \dfrac{h_i}{h_o}$

For concave mirrors, f = focal length

$d_i$ = Image distance from the mirror (-ve $d_i$ = Image is behind the mirror +ve $d_i$ = Image is in front of the mirror)

$d_o$ = Object distance from the mirror (-ve $d_o$ = Object is behind the mirror +ve $d_o$ = Object is in front of the mirror)

m = Magnification (-ve m = Inverted image +ve m = upright image)

$h_i$ = Image height

$h_o$ = Object height

f = Focal length of the mirror

To produce a larger image $d_i$ > $d_o$

To produce a smaller image $d_i$ < $d_o$

To produce an upright image, m should be positive hence, $d_i$ will be negative or the image will appear behind the mirror

To produce an inverted image, m should be negative hence, $d_i$ will be positive or the image will form in front of the mirror.