An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 30 cm. List four characteristics of the image formed by the mirror. 

An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm in front of a concave mirror of radius of curvature 30 cm. List four characteristics of the image formed by the mirror.

When an object is placed 12 cm in front of a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 30 cm, the image formed exhibits the following four characteristics:

1. Virtual: The image is virtual, meaning it cannot be projected onto a screen and exists only as the perceived location where the reflected rays converge.
2. Magnified: The image is magnified compared to the object. However, the exact magnification cannot be determined without further calculations.
3. Erect: Since the object is placed between the focus and the mirror, the image formed is erect, meaning it has the same orientation as the object.
4. Located behind the mirror: Due to the object's position and the converging nature of the mirror, the image is formed behind the mirror, on the same side as the object but not physically on the reflecting surface.

Mirror - Formula and Examples

The formula that governs the behavior of flat mirrors is the law of reflection, which states:

"The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection."

Here's what that means:

• Angle of Incidence (θi): This is the angle between the incident ray (the incoming light ray) and the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the mirror) at the point where the ray strikes the mirror.
• Angle of Reflection (θr): This is the angle between the reflected ray (the outgoing light ray) and the normal, measured from the same point as the incident ray.

Mathematically, it can be represented as:

θi = θr

Here are some examples:

1. Incident Ray Normal to the Mirror: When a ray of light strikes a flat mirror at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular to the surface), the angle of incidence is 0 degrees, and the angle of reflection is also 0 degrees. The reflected ray retraces the path of the incident ray.

2. Incident Ray at an Angle: If an incident ray strikes the mirror at an angle, say 30 degrees to the normal, the reflected ray will also leave the mirror at 30 degrees to the normal, but on the opposite side.

3. Multiple Mirrors: You can also consider multiple mirrors and the reflection of light among them. For instance, if you place two flat mirrors perpendicular to each other, you can observe multiple reflections of an object placed in between them.

In all these cases, the law of reflection holds true. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. This principle is fundamental in understanding how light behaves when it interacts with mirrors, which is crucial in various optical applications, including in everyday life and in more complex optical systems.