Finding magnification, object distance from the mirror, and radius of curvature

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a physics problem involving a mirror, where a 10cm high object produces a 5cm high virtual image at an image distance of -30cm. The magnification is calculated as M = Hi/Ho = 5cm/10cm = 1/2. To find the object distance from the mirror, the equation 1/f = 1/s + 1/s' is utilized alongside the magnification equation M = -s'/s. The radius of curvature is determined to be twice the focal length, establishing a clear method for solving the problem.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mirror equations, specifically 1/f = 1/s + 1/s'
  • Knowledge of magnification calculations using M = Hi/Ho
  • Familiarity with the sign convention for image distances in optics
  • Basic principles of concave and convex mirrors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the mirror equation 1/f = 1/s + 1/s'
  • Learn about the properties of virtual images in concave and convex mirrors
  • Explore the concept of focal length and its relationship to radius of curvature
  • Practice additional problems involving magnification and object/image distances
USEFUL FOR

Students studying optics, particularly those in introductory physics courses, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to mirrors and image formation.

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Homework Statement


You placed a 10cm high object in front of a mirror and got 5cm high virtual image at (-30cm). (Hint: watch the sign convention)
a. Find the magnification
b. Find the object distance from the mirror
c. Find the radius of curvature of the mirror

then I have to know if the mirror is convex or concave and if it is upright or inverted, but I think I can figure that out if I find the solutions to these problems.


Homework Equations


I've figured out from the information that Ho= 10cm, Hi= 5cm, I think f= -30cm
For object distance, I can't figure out how I can possibly figure that out without any distances given. I'm not supplied with distance from focal point.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

and for radius, I have no idea where to begin.

The Attempt at a Solution


for part a. M=Hi/Ho=5cm/10cm=1/2cm ? So does Magnitude equal 1/2cm?

I am not good at science, I am taking this as my gen-ed required science for my major. PLEASE help however you can.
Thanks so much :-)
 
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Hello,

let s= object distance=x, s'=image distance=-30cm, h= object height=10cm, h'=image height=5cm, f=focal length=y and R=Radius of curvature=z

For part A you have the right answer as m=-\frac{s'}{s} Except you thought -30 is focal length which it is not, its where the image appears to be.

For part B you can use the following equation \frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{s}+\frac{1}{s'}. You don't know object distance but you can work it out from magnification equation, m=-\frac{s'}{s} we also know |m|=\frac{h'}{h} so you can work out what s is.

For part C Radius of curvature is simply 2x Focal length.

Hope this helps
 
that helps so much! thank you!
 

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