Angular magnification of flat and concave mirrors

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the angular size of a freckle using both a flat mirror and a concave mirror. For the flat mirror, the angular size was estimated at 0.128 degrees, but the accuracy is uncertain. The concave mirror's calculations yielded a magnification of approximately 2.35, resulting in an angular size of 0.179 degrees. The angular magnification was then compared between the two mirrors, but there is confusion regarding the application of the equations. The suggestion is to use geometric sketches to verify the results instead of relying solely on memorized formulas.
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Homework Statement



(a) I hold a flat mirror 22.4 cm in front of my face. There is a freckle on my
face 1 mm in diameter. Find the angular size of the freckle on the image of my face as
viewed by my eye. (b) Repeat for a concave mirror which has a focal length of 39 cm.
(c) What is the angular magnification of the concave mirror, as compared to the flat
mirror?

Homework Equations



m = θ/θ2
M=h'/h=-q/p
1/p+1/q=1/f

The Attempt at a Solution



For part a: I figured that θ is the angle with the mirror in use, and θ2 is the angle when the object is placed at the nearpoint without the mirror. I assumed I was looking for θ, so I drew a triangle and did the arctan of 0.1cm/44.8cm to get 0.128 degrees as my answer. I'm not sure if that is correct.

For part b: I found q using 1/p+1/q=1/f, and it was -52.62650602 cm. I then calculated total distance, q+p = 52.62650602 cm + 22.4 cm = 75.02650602cm. Then using M=-q/p, i calculated the magnification to be 2.34939759, making h' 2.34939759 mm. Then to find theta, I did arctan(h'/totaldistance) to equal 0.179 degrees. Probably wrong.

Part c: I took angular size from part b and divided it by the angular size in part a because i figured that theta2 is the same for both.
 
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Basically you have tried to remember how to use a bunch of memorized equations - so you are not sure you did it right. Have a go sketching the situation as a way of checking your results using geometry rather than rules.
 
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