Physics Experiment: Real and Virtual Images Formation with Concave Mirror

Concave Mirrors

• A concave mirror can form a real image of an object on a screen.
• To obtain a real image, move the screen until a sharp image is formed, making sure the screen does not obstruct the light from the object.
• The image formed by a concave mirror can be smaller or larger in size than the object.
• The image may also be real or virtual.

Uses of Concave Mirrors

• Concave mirrors are used by doctors to examine eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
• Dentists use concave mirrors to see an enlarged image of the teeth.
• The reflectors of torches, headlights of cars, and scooters are concave in shape.

Convex Mirrors

• A convex mirror forms a virtual image of an object.
• The image is always smaller in size than the object.
• Convex mirrors are used as side mirrors in automobiles to help drivers see the traffic behind them.

Convex Mirror Characteristics

• The image formed by a convex mirror is always erect and smaller in size.
• Convex mirrors cannot form real images at any distance of the object from the mirror.

Lenses

• Lenses are transparent and light can pass through them.
• Concave lenses are thinner in the middle than at the edges.
• Convex lenses are thicker in the middle than at the edges.

Images Formed by Lenses

• A magnifying glass is used to read very small print.
• Concave lenses can form images of objects spread over a large area.

Spherical Mirrors

• A spherical mirror is a part of a sphere.
• The inner surface of a spoon acts like a concave mirror, while its outer surface acts like a convex mirror.