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Question

If an image formed by a spherical mirror is real and inverted, which of the following correctly describes the sign of the image distance according to the sign convention?

The correct answer is

Image distance is negative

In the New Cartesian sign convention, the object is placed to the left of the mirror, all distances are measured from the pole, distances measured in the direction of the incident light (to the right) are positive and distances measured against it (to the left) are negative.

A real image is formed where reflected rays actually meet, and for a mirror the reflected rays travel back to the left, in front of the mirror on the same side as the object. Such a real, inverted image (formed by a concave mirror) therefore lies to the left of the pole, so the image distance v is negative.

A positive image distance means the image is behind the mirror, which is true only for virtual, erect images. The image distance cannot be zero for a real image, and its sign is fixed by the nature of the image, so it is not variable.

Hence, Image distance is negative.

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Similar Questions

  1. An object is placed 10 cm from a diverging lens with a focal length of 15 cm. What is the position of the image formed?

  2. A ray of light passes through the center of curvature of a concave mirror after reflection. Which path will it follow and why?

  3. Identify the statement(s) that accurately describe situations involving refraction.

    (i) The apparent depth of a swimming pool is less than its actual depth due to refraction.

    (ii) We are able to see our image in a plane mirror due to refraction.

    (iii) A pencil partially dipped in water appears bent at the water surface due to refraction.

    (iv) Refraction makes a white wall appear colored at night.

  4. Which of the following statements about image formation by spherical mirrors is NOT correct?

  5. Which feature best describes the orientation and size of the image produced by a convex mirror for any object position?

  6. A rainbow is observed after a rain shower when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. Which process primarily causes the separation of colors seen in a rainbow?

  7. In the context of spherical mirrors, what is the relationship between the principal axis and the normal at the pole?

  8. Which property of convex mirrors makes them suitable for use in shopping malls for security purposes?

  9. A student is asked to design an experiment using a concave mirror to locate its principal focus. She position a parallel beam of light to strike the mirror and observe the reflected rays meeting at a point. How should this point be described in the context of the mirror’s features?

  10. A person with hypermetropia (farsightedness) is prescribed a lens to correct their vision. Which type of lens and action is used in their spectacles?


Important Questions from Optics

  1. Who was the first one to use a glass prism to obtain the spectrum of sunlight?

  2. Twinkling of stars is due to:

  3. In which a convex mirror is used?

    A. Rear View mirrors in vehicles

    B. Glass windows

    C. Makeup Mirror

    D. Kaleidoscope

  4. An object is placed 10 cm in front of a lens. The image formed is real, inverted and of same size as the object. What is the focal length and nature of the lens?

  5. The power of a lens is -2.5 D. The type of lens and its focal length are respectively:

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