Reflection of Light


   
 
Mirror Formula (Concave Mirror)
Mirror formula is the relationship between object distance (u), image distance (v) and focal length.
 
 
 
Derivation
The figure shows an object AB at a distance u from the pole of a concave mirror. The image A1B1 is formed at a distance v from the mirror. The position of the image is obtained by drawing a ray diagram.
 
Consider the D A1CB1 and D ACB
 
 
[when two angles of D A1CB1 and D ACB are equal then the third angle
 
 
 
 
 
But ED = AB
 
 
From equations (1) and (2)
 
 
If D is very close to P then EF = PF
 
 
 
 
But PC = R, PB = u, PB1 = v, PF = f
 
By sign convention
 
PC = -R, PB = -u, PF = -f and PB1 = -v
 
Equation (3) can be written as
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividing equation (4) throughout by uvf we get
 
 
 
Equation (5) gives the mirror formula
 
 
     
   
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