Class 12 Physics simulations · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Spherical mirrors: ray diagram

Concave and convex spherical mirrors: move the object - even to infinity - and see where the image forms and whether it is real or virtual, erect or inverted, magnified or diminished.

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What to notice

A concave mirror gives a real, inverted image until the object comes inside F; then the image is virtual, erect and magnified. A convex mirror always gives a virtual, erect, diminished image between P and F.

Key relation

1/v + 1/u = 1/f · m = −v/u · f = R/2

Try this

Concave: drag the object from infinity towards the mirror and watch the image travel from F past C to infinity, then appear behind the mirror.

What you can change

• Mirror: choose Concave, Convex
• Object: choose Arrow, Candle, Tree
• Object distance |u|: 2 to 46 cm
• Focal length |f|: 5 to 20 cm
• Object height: 1 to 10 cm

More in Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

• Real and apparent depth
• Astronomical telescope
• Compound microscope
• Image in a concave mirror
• Two thin lenses in contact
• Image through a convex lens
• Lens maker’s formula
• Images in two inclined mirrors
• Guiding light in an optical fibre
• Prism: angle of minimum deviation
• Dispersion through a prism
• Refraction and total internal reflection
• Total internal reflection

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