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If you now place a pencil under the edge of the mirror nearer the wall, tilting it upward by 5. 0 ∘∘ , how much higher on the wall (δy)(δy) is the spot?

User Farsil
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

This question involves the use of the Law of Reflection in physics to determine the change in the position of a reflected light spot on a wall when a mirror is tilted by a given angle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the Law of Reflection in optics, a topic within Physics, as it involves tilting a mirror and determining the displacement of a light spot on a wall. The scenario given lacks specific measurements required to provide an accurate answer.

Generally, the change in height (δy) of the reflected light spot on the wall due to tilting the mirror by an angle can be determined by applying geometric principles and the law of reflection.

The relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection would be used to calculate the change in the path of light, and trigonometry would then give the vertical displacement of the light spot on the wall. It's important to remember that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

User Okrunner
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1 vote

Final answer:

The question is related to the principles of geometrical optics, specifically the reflection of light and image formation through lenses and mirrors. High school students would solve it using the law of reflection and trigonometry to determine the change in the image's position on the wall triggered by tilting the mirror.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves understanding the behaviour of light as it reflects off a mirror and passes through a lens. In scenarios where a mirror is tilted, the law of reflection is essential to determine the new path of the light and consequently the new position of the image formed on the wall.

To solve such problems, one would typically use geometrical optics principles such as the reflection of light, image formation by lenses and mirrors, and trigonometric relationships to calculate the movement of the image spot on the wall. These types of problems are often encountered in high school physics courses, under the section of wave optics or geometrical optics.

For example, if we knew the angle of tilt and the distance of the mirror from the wall, we could calculate the height change (δy) of the image on the wall by applying the law of reflection and simple trigonometry.

User Zac Bowling
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