Can an object be halfway between focal point and diverging mirror?

In summary, the conversation is discussing a physics question about a diverging mirror and a converging mirror. The problem is asking to repeat a specific question for the diverging mirror, but the speaker points out that this may not be possible since the focal point is behind the mirror. However, they later realize that in certain combinations of mirrors and lenses, the object may be behind the mirror.
  • #1
Negatratoron
25
7
A physics question from Principles of Physics by Mazur in the chapter on Optics is asking me to "repeat Problem 92 for a diverging mirror", and one of the questions in Problem 92 (which is about a converging mirror) is to find the image distance of an object halfway between the focal point and the mirror.

I do not believe this is possible, since the focal point of a diverging mirror is behind the mirror, and so an object halfway between the focal point and the mirror is also behind the mirror.
 
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  • #2
I think I figured it out. Table 33.2 in the text has a footnote in the "o < 0" case: "Encountered only with lens or mirror combinations". If any mirror is in combination with other mirrors and lenses, it may be the case that the object is behind the mirror.
 

1. Can an object be halfway between focal point and diverging mirror?

Yes, an object can be halfway between the focal point and a diverging mirror. This is known as the center of curvature and is the point where the mirror's surface would intersect if it were a complete sphere.

2. How does the distance between the object and the mirror affect the image?

The distance between the object and the mirror affects the size and location of the image. As the object moves closer to the mirror, the image will appear larger and closer to the mirror. As the object moves further away, the image will appear smaller and further away.

3. What happens to the image if the object is placed exactly at the focal point?

If the object is placed exactly at the focal point, the image will appear to be at infinity. This is because the light rays from the object will become parallel after reflecting off the mirror, creating an image that is infinitely far away.

4. Can an object be placed between the focal point and the mirror?

Yes, an object can be placed between the focal point and the mirror. In this case, the image will be virtual and upright, meaning it will appear to be behind the mirror and the same size as the object.

5. How does the shape of the mirror affect the image?

The shape of the mirror affects the image by determining its size, location, and orientation. A concave mirror will produce a real and inverted image, while a convex mirror will produce a virtual and upright image. The degree of curvature also affects the size and location of the image.

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