Concave & Convex Mirror Ray Diagrams
Trace parallel and focal rays for concave/convex mirrors. Calculate image distance, height, magnification, and identify real vs virtual images.
WHAT ARE MIRROR RAY DIAGRAMS?
Ray diagrams are tools used to determine the location, size, and orientation of images formed by concave and convex mirrors. **Concave mirrors** (converging) can produce real, inverted images or virtual, upright images depending on the object's distance relative to the focal point . **Convex mirrors** (diverging) always produce virtual, upright, and reduced images.
HOW TO USE THIS VISUALIZATION
1. **Switch Mirror Type**: Choose between Concave and Convex to see the difference in ray reflection behavior.2. **Drag the Object**: Change the distance from the mirror. Notice that for concave mirrors, the image flips from real to virtual as the object passes the focal point.3. **Trace the Rays**: Follow the Parallel Ray, Focal Ray, and Central Ray to see how they converge or appear to diverge from the image location.
CORE FORMULAS
AP EXAM CONNECTION
Unit: Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics (Topic 6.2)
Learning Objective: LO 6.E.4
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Virtual images can be projected onto a screen (they cannot; only real images can)
- The focal point is the center of the mirror (it is halfway between the mirror and the center of curvature)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Real images form where rays actually converge.
- Virtual images form where rays appear to diverge from.
- Concave mirrors converge light; convex mirrors diverge light.
- A negative magnification indicates an inverted image.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q1 (QUANTITATIVE): An object is placed at a distance from a concave mirror. Where is the image located?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: At (the center of curvature)
Explanation: Using , we get , so . The image is real, inverted, and the same size as the object.
Q2 (CONCEPTUAL): For a convex mirror, is the image ever real?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: No
Explanation: Convex mirrors always cause light rays to diverge. The reflected rays only appear to meet behind the mirror, forming a virtual image regardless of object distance.
