Question

How do you draw Ray Diagrams for flat mirrors? Explain

Answer 1

Ray diagrams for flat mirrors are constructed by drawing at least two rays from an object to the mirror, reflecting them according to the law of reflection, and extending them behind the mirror to find the point where they appear to converge. This point indicates the location of the virtual image, which is the same size, upright, and at an equal distance behind the mirror as the object is in front. Using multiple mirrors can show more complex images, including inverted ones.

Step-by-step explanation:

To construct a ray diagram for flat mirrors, one would typically follow these steps:

1. Identify the location of the object in front of the flat mirror.
2. Draw at least two rays emanating from a point on the object. One simple ray is the normal ray, which hits the mirror at a 90° angle, reflecting back on itself. Another ray could be drawn at an angle to the normal; this ray will reflect off the mirror at an angle equal to its incidence angle due to the law of reflection.
3. Once the rays reflect off the mirror, they should be extended behind the mirror. These reflected rays will appear to converge at a point; this point is where the image is formed.
4. Where the extended reflected rays converge, mark the point of the image. For flat mirrors, the image will be upright and the same size as the object. It will also be located the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.

When using multiple mirrors, such as two flat mirrors at an angle, you will draw reflected rays from each mirror. The number of images formed can be determined by the number of distinct points where these rays appear to converge behind the mirrors.

It's important to note that images formed by flat mirrors are always virtual, meaning they cannot be projected on a screen and appear behind the mirror.

To illustrate how an image is inverted using more than one flat mirror, you would construct a ray diagram by carefully following the paths of the rays as they reflect off each mirror surface, applying the same law of reflection to each interaction with the mirror.