Answer Key Optics

Name: Class: Date:
REFLECTION AND MIRRORS

Introduction
When light travels it does so in straight lines called rays. Light rays,
like all waves, follow the law of reflection. The law of reflection
states that the angle at which an incoming light ray strikes a shiny
surface is the same as the angle at which the ray is reflected. The
human brain always interprets light rays as if they have traveled in a
straight line. This phenomenon allows mirrors to form images by
reflecting light rays in predictable ways.
Real and Virtual Images
An image is a copy of an object that is formed by reflected rays. There are two different types of images
that can form in mirrors: real images and virtual images.
Images seen in a flat or plane mirror are virtual images. A virtual image is an image formed due to the
imaginary meeting of light rays. The human brain interprets light rays as if they have traveled in a straight
line. It does not realize that light rays reflected off a mirror have changed direction. The reflected image
appears to come from behind the mirror and doesn’t really exist. Virtual images are always upright but
because the light rays never meet, they cannot be projected on a screen or other surface.
By contrast, images seen in some types of curved mirrors are real images. A real image is an image
formed when light rays physically meet. Real images are always upside down and since they are created
by light rays converging, they can be projected on a screen or other surface.
Comparison Real Images Virtual Images
Ray
Diagram
How Formed Actual meeting of light rays Imaginary meeting of light rays
Orientation Inverted (upside down) Upright (right-side up)
Formed In Concave mirrors Concave, convex or plane mirrors
Can be Projected Yes No
Images in Plane Mirrors
A mirror with a flat surface is called a plane mirror. Plane mirrors

always produce upright, virtual images that are the same size as the
actual object. However, the image produced is laterally inverted,
which means that the right side of the object appears as the left side
of the image. Since images formed by plane mirrors are identical in
size, distance, and color, plane mirrors have numerous applications,
including wall mirrors, cameras, periscopes, and rear-view mirrors.
Images in Concave Mirrors
A mirror with a surface that curves inward like the inside of a spoon
is a concave mirror. A concave mirror features an optical axis,
which is an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the
mirror’s center that divides the mirror in half. When light rays
traveling parallel to the optical axis hit a concave mirror they reflect
and meet at a single location called the focal point. The distance
from the center of the mirror to the focal point is the focal length.
The type and size of image produced by a concave mirror depends

on the distance the object is from the focal point. When the object
is farther from the mirror than the focal length, the reflected rays
meet and form a real image. When the object is greater than 2 focal
lengths away, a real, reduced image is formed. When the object is
between 1-2 focal lengths away, a real, enlarged image is formed.
Since concave mirrors can produce magnified images, they are
used for shaving, applying makeup, and in medical imaging.
If the object is between the mirror and focal length, the reflected
rays do not actually meet and therefore form a virtual, enlarged
image that appears to be coming from behind the mirror.
If the object is placed at the focal length, the rays never meet and no image forms. However, if a light is
located here, the mirror reflects all light rays parallel to the optical axis. Car headlights, flashlights, and
spotlights use concave mirrors in this way to produce parallel light beams that illuminate the path ahead.
Images in Convex Mirrors
A mirror with a surface that curves outward like the back of a spoon is
a convex mirror. When light rays reflect off the curved surface they
spread apart but appear to come from a focal point behind the mirror.
Since the light rays never meet, the image produced is virtual, upright,
and reduced. Because convex mirrors cause light rays to diverge,
they allow large areas to be viewed. Convex mirrors are often located
in the corners of stores, factories, and on side-view mirrors where a
wide field of view is helpful. However, because the image formed is
smaller than the actual object, convex mirrors often have a warning
label that states “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”
Summary
The different shapes of plane, concave, and convex mirrors cause them to reflect light in unique ways.
The table below summarizes the characteristics of images formed in all three types of mirrors.
Images Formed in Three Types of Mirrors
Mirror Object Distance Image Type Image Orientation Image Size
Plane Any distance virtual upright same as object
More than 2 focal lengths real inverted smaller
Between 1-2 focal lengths real inverted larger

Concave
At focal point none none none
Less than 1 focal length virtual upright larger
Convex Any distance virtual upright smaller

REVIEW – REFLECTION AND MIRRORS
1. Describe the shape and give 1 example of a plane, concave, and convex mirror in the table below.
Mirror Plane Concave Convex
Shape
Example
2. Fill in the summary table to contrast the properties of real and virtual images.
Image Real Images Virtual Images
How Formed
Orientation
Formed In
Can Project
3. Draw a ray diagram (min. of 2 rays) to show how the mirror below forms an image. Then, record if
the image is real or virtual, upright or inverted, reduced, magnified, or the same size as the object.
Image Characteristics
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
4. How is the image formed in a plane mirror similar to the actual object? How is it different?
5. Define the terms focal point and focal length for a concave lens.
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
7. How is the image formed in a concave lens of an object located beyond the focal point different from
the image of an object located in front of the focal point?
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
9. Why are objects in a car side mirror closer than they appear?
10. Standing in front of a funhouse mirror, your friend notices that she can make her image disappear as
she walks towards it. State what type of mirror is likely being used and explain why no image forms.
REVIEW – REFLECTION AND MIRRORS (KEY)
A mirror with a flat A mirror with a surface A mirror with a surface

Shape
surface that curves inward that curves outward
1 example from: 1 example from: 1 example from:

Example wall mirrors, cameras, shaving, makeup, store or factory corner
periscopes, car rear-view headlight, flashlight mirror, car side-view
Can Project Yes No
Mirror Type plane
Image Type virtual
Orientation upright
Size same
• The image formed in a plane mirror is the same size, orientation, and distance as the object
• The image is laterally inverted, meaning that the left and right of the image are reversed
• Or equivalent
• The focal point is the location where light rays traveling parallel (to the optical axis) reflect off
the curved surface of a concave mirror and meet at a single point
• The focal length is the distance from the center of the mirror to the focal point
• Or equivalent
Mirror Type concave
Image Type real
Orientation inverted
Size reduced
• The image formed in a concave lens of an object located beyond the focal point is real,
inverted (and may be smaller or larger than the object)
• The image formed in a concave lens of an object located in front of the focal point is virtual,
upright, and enlarged (or magnified)
• Or equivalent
Mirror Type convex
Image Type virtual
Orientation upright
Size reduced
• Car side mirrors are convex mirrors (as they give a wide field of view)
• Convex mirrors produce images that are virtual, upright, and reduced
• Since the image formed is smaller than the actual object, the object
appears to be farther away than it really is
• Or equivalent
• The funhouse mirror is likely a concave mirror

• If an object is placed at the focal length, the rays never meet and no image forms
• As your friend walks towards the mirror, she reaches the location of the mirror’s focal point
and her image disappears
• Or equivalent
ACADEMIA INTERNACIONAL ARABE PANAMEÑA
SECCION SECUNDARIA
PRE-TEST #2
REFLECTION AND MIRRORS
NAME: ___________________________________ 12TH DATE: ________________

TEACHER: Leah Clovis
Introduction
When light travels it does so in straight lines called rays. Light rays,
like all waves, follow the law of reflection. The law of reflection
states that the angle at which an incoming light ray strikes a shiny
surface is the same as the angle at which the ray is reflected. The
human brain always interprets light rays as if they have traveled in a
straight line. This phenomenon allows mirrors to form images by
reflecting light rays in predictable ways.
An image is a copy of an object that is formed by reflected rays. There are two different types of images
that can form in mirrors: real images and virtual images.
Images seen in a flat or plane mirror are virtual images. A virtual image is an image formed due to the
imaginary meeting of light rays. The human brain interprets light rays as if they have traveled in a straight
line. It does not realize that light rays reflected off a mirror have changed direction. The reflected image
appears to come from behind the mirror and doesn’t really exist. Virtual images are always upright but
because the light rays never meet, they cannot be projected on a screen or other surface.
By contrast, images seen in some types of curved mirrors are real images. A real image is an image
formed when light rays physically meet. Real images are always upside down and since they are created
by light rays converging, they can be projected on a screen or other surface.
Comparison Real Images Virtual Images
Ray
Diagram
Can be Projected Yes No

Images in Plane Mirrors
A mirror with a flat surface is called a plane mirror. Plane mirrors

always produce upright, virtual images that are the same size as the
actual object. However, the image produced is laterally inverted,
which means that the right side of the object appears as the left side
of the image. Since images formed by plane mirrors are identical in
size, distance, and color, plane mirrors have numerous applications,
including wall mirrors, cameras, periscopes, and rear-view mirrors.
Images in Concave Mirrors
A mirror with a surface that curves inward like the inside of a spoon
is a concave mirror. A concave mirror features an optical axis,
which is an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the
mirror’s center that divides the mirror in half. When light rays
traveling parallel to the optical axis hit a concave mirror they reflect
and meet at a single location called the focal point. The distance
from the center of the mirror to the focal point is the focal length.
The type and size of image produced by a concave mirror depends

on the distance the object is from the focal point. When the object
is farther from the mirror than the focal length, the reflected rays
meet and form a real image. When the object is greater than 2 focal
lengths away, a real, reduced image is formed. When the object is
between 1-2 focal lengths away, a real, enlarged image is formed.
Since concave mirrors can produce magnified images, they are
used for shaving, applying makeup, and in medical imaging.
If the object is between the mirror and focal length, the reflected
rays do not actually meet and therefore form a virtual, enlarged
image that appears to be coming from behind the mirror.
If the object is placed at the focal length, the rays never meet and no image forms. However, if a light is
located here, the mirror reflects all light rays parallel to the optical axis. Car headlights, flashlights, and
spotlights use concave mirrors in this way to produce parallel light beams that illuminate the path ahead.
Images in Convex Mirrors
A mirror with a surface that curves outward like the back of a spoon is
a convex mirror. When light rays reflect off the curved surface they
spread apart but appear to come from a focal point behind the mirror.
Since the light rays never meet, the image produced is virtual, upright,
and reduced. Because convex mirrors cause light rays to diverge,
they allow large areas to be viewed. Convex mirrors are often located
in the corners of stores, factories, and on side-view mirrors where a
wide field of view is helpful. However, because the image formed is
smaller than the actual object, convex mirrors often have a warning
label that states “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”
Summary
The different shapes of plane, concave, and convex mirrors cause them to reflect light in unique ways.
The table below summarizes the characteristics of images formed in all three types of mirrors.
Images Formed in Three Types of Mirrors
Mirror Object Distance Image Type Image Orientation Image Size
Plane Any distance virtual upright same as object
More than 2 focal lengths real inverted smaller
Between 1-2 focal lengths real inverted larger

Concave
At focal point none none none
Less than 1 focal length virtual upright larger
Convex Any distance virtual upright smaller
REVIEW – REFLECTION AND MIRRORS

Shape
Example
How Formed
Orientation
Formed In
Can Project
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
Mirror Type
Image Type
Orientation
Size
Physics 11-06 Image Formation by Mirrors Name: _____________________________
Spherical Mirrors
 Concave: bends ______________
 Convex: bends ______________
 ______________are always ___________________ to the
surface and pass through the ______________ of
curvature, C.
o Law of Reflection says that the ______________ to the ______________ is the
same for the ______________ and ______________ rays
 Principal axis: imaginary line through _________ and the ____________ of the mirror.
 Focal point (F): ______________ rays strike the mirror and ______________ at the focal
point.
 Focal length (f): distance between ______________ and ______________
1
 Concave mirrors: 𝑓 = 𝑅
2
1
 Convex mirrors: 𝑓 = − 𝑅
2
Spherical aberration
 Rays ________ from the principle axis actually cross between ______ and the __________.
 Fix this by using a ______________ mirror.
Ray Diagrams
Concave Mirror
 Ray 1 – ______________ to principal axis, strikes mirror and reflects through ___________
 Ray 2 – Through __________, strikes mirror and reflects ______________ to principal axis
 Ray 3 – Through __________, strikes mirror and reflects back through ______________
Object beyond C
Object C F
 Image is ______________, ______________ and ______________, between ______________ and ______________

Object between C and F
C Object F
 Image ______________, ______________, and ______________, beyond ______________
Created by Richard Wright – Andrews Academy To be used with OpenStax College Physics
Object between F and mirror
C F Object
 Image ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________ mirror

Convex Mirrors
Object F C
 Image ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________ mirror between F and ______________

Mirror Equation
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑑𝑜 𝑑𝑖
 Where f = focal length (negative if ______________), d0 = object distance, di = image distance (negative if ______________)
Magnification Equation
ℎ𝑖 𝑑𝑖
𝑚= =−
ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑜
 Where m = magnification, ho = object height, hi = image height (negative if ______________), do = object distance, di = image
distance (negative if ______________)
A 0.5-m high toddler is playing 10 m in front of a concave mirror with radius of curvature of 7 m.
What is the location of his image?
What is the height of his image?
A 0.5-m high toddler is playing 10 m in front of a convex mirror with radius of curvature of 7 m.
What is the location of his image?
What is the height of his image?
Homework
1. What are the differences between real and virtual images? How can you tell (by looking) whether an image formed by a
single lens or mirror is real or virtual?
2. Can you see a virtual image? Can you photograph one? Can one be projected onto a screen with additional lenses or
mirrors? Explain your responses.
3. Is it necessary to project a real image onto a screen for it to exist?
4. Under what circumstances will an image be located at the focal point of a lens or mirror?
5. What is meant by a negative magnification? What is meant by a magnification that is less than 1 in magnitude?
6. What is the focal length of a makeup mirror that has a power of 1.50 D? (OpenStax 25.53) +0.667 m
7. Some telephoto cameras use a mirror rather than a lens. What radius of curvature mirror is needed to replace a 800 mm
focal length telephoto lens? (OpenStax 25.54) +1.60 m
8. (a) Calculate the focal length of the mirror formed by the shiny back of a spoon that has a 3.00 cm radius of curvature. (b)
What is its power in diopters? (OpenStax 25.55) −𝟏. 𝟓𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 m, -66.7 D
9. Electric room heaters use a concave mirror to reflect infrared (IR) radiation from hot coils. Note that IR follows the same
law of reflection as visible light. Given that the mirror has a radius of curvature of 50.0 cm and produces an image of the
coils 3.00 m away from the mirror, what is the magnification of the heater element. Note that its large magnitude helps
spread out the reflected energy. (OpenStax 25.56) -11.0
10. What is the focal length of a makeup mirror that produces a magnification of 1.50 when a person’s face is 12.0 cm away?
Solve with both a ray diagram and the mirror equation. (OpenStax 25.57) 0.360 m
11. A shopper standing 3.00 m from a convex security mirror sees his image with a magnification of 0.250. (a) Where is his
image? (b) What is the focal length of the mirror? (c) What is its radius of curvature? (OpenStax 25.58) -0.750 m, -1.00 m,
2.00 m
12. An object 1.50 cm high is held 3.00 cm from a person’s cornea, and its reflected image is measured to be 0.167 cm high. (a)
What is the magnification? (b) Where is the image? (c) Find the radius of curvature of the convex mirror formed by the
cornea. (Note that this technique is used by optometrists to measure the curvature of the cornea for contact lens fitting.
The instrument used is called a keratometer, or curve measurer.) (OpenStax 25.59) +0.111, -0.334 cm, -0.752 cm

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Name: Class: Date:

REFLECTION AND MIRRORS

Real and Virtual Images

Real and Virtual Images

Comparison Real Images Virtual Images

Orientation Inverted (upside down) Upright (right-side up)

Formed In Concave mirrors Concave, convex or plane mirrors

Can be Projected Yes No

Images in Plane Mirrors

A mirror with a flat surface is called a plane mirror. Plane mirrors

The type and size of image produced by a concave mirror depends

Images in Convex Mirrors

Images Formed in Three Types of Mirrors

Mirror Object Distance Image Type Image Orientation Image Size

Plane Any distance virtual upright same as object

More than 2 focal lengths real inverted smaller

Between 1-2 focal lengths real inverted larger

Less than 1 focal length virtual upright larger

Convex Any distance virtual upright smaller

Mirror Plane Concave Convex

Image Real Images Virtual Images

Mirror Plane Concave Convex

A mirror with a flat A mirror with a surface A mirror with a surface

1 example from: 1 example from: 1 example from:

Image Real Images Virtual Images

Orientation Inverted (upside down) Upright (right-side up)

Formed In Concave mirrors Concave, convex or plane mirrors

Can Project Yes No

Mirror Type plane

Image Type virtual

Mirror Type concave

Image Type real

Mirror Type convex

Image Type virtual

• The funhouse mirror is likely a concave mirror

NAME: ___________________________________ 12TH DATE: ________________

Real and Virtual Images

Real and Virtual Images

Comparison Real Images Virtual Images

Orientation Inverted (upside down) Upright (right-side up)

Formed In Concave mirrors Concave, convex or plane mirrors

Can be Projected Yes No

A mirror with a flat surface is called a plane mirror. Plane mirrors

Images in Concave Mirrors

The type and size of image produced by a concave mirror depends

Images in Convex Mirrors

Images Formed in Three Types of Mirrors

Mirror Object Distance Image Type Image Orientation Image Size

Plane Any distance virtual upright same as object

More than 2 focal lengths real inverted smaller

Between 1-2 focal lengths real inverted larger

Less than 1 focal length virtual upright larger

Convex Any distance virtual upright smaller

REVIEW – REFLECTION AND MIRRORS

Mirror Plane Concave Convex

Image Real Images Virtual Images

 Image is ______________, ______________ and ______________, between ______________ and ______________

 Image ______________, ______________, and ______________, beyond ______________

 Image ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________ mirror

 Image ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________ mirror between F and ______________

What is the height of his image?

What is the height of his image?

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NAME: ___________________ 12TH DATE:

 Image is , and , between and __

 Image , , and , beyond

 Image , , , mirror

 Image , , , mirror between F and __