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Homework Statement
See here: http://www.jyu.fi/kastdk/olympiads/ [Broken] (year 2008, theoretical question set 2, question 2)
Let us consider a beam of particles moving with velocity v>c/n, such that the angle θ is small, along a straight line IS. The beam crosses a concave spherical mirror of focal length and center C, at point S. SC makes with SI a small angle α. The particle beam creates a ring image in the focal plane of the mirror. Explain why with the help of a sketch illustrating this fact. Give the position of the center O and the radius of the ring image.
Homework Equations
none
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm puzzling over the solutions to no avail. Why is the line from C to the center of the ring parallel to the particles' trajectory? Why is the line from C to the top of the ring, and the line from C to the bottom of the ring, parallel to the Cherenkov radiation's wavefront? I feel like I must be missing something obvious...
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