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WannabeFeynman
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Why is the position of an image the intersection of 2+ rays?
WannabeFeynman said:Why is the position of an image the intersection of 2+ rays?
See nice explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curved_mirrorWannabeFeynman said:Also, is the principal axis, since it's a radius, 90 degrees to the reflective side of a curved mirror? Why?
Of course they do apply. But locally )WannabeFeynman said:And finally, do laws of reflection apply to curved (spherical) mirrors?
Because if you check carefully how the reflection occurs (see my answer to the previous question) you'll see that any ray that passes through center of curvature hits the curved mirror exactly along the "local" perpendicular to it.WannabeFeynman said:And also, is any ray through centre of curvature 90 degrees to the reflective side? Why?
WannabeFeynman said:Thanks a lot! Also, is the principal axis, since it's a radius, 90 degrees to the reflective side of a curved mirror? Why? And also, is any ray through centre of curvature 90 degrees to the reflective side? Why? And finally, do laws of reflection apply to curved (spherical) mirrors?
Geometric optics is a branch of optics that studies the behavior of light in relation to geometric shapes, such as lenses, mirrors, and prisms. It focuses on how light rays interact with these objects to form images.
Ray intersection refers to the point where two or more light rays intersect with each other. In geometric optics, the position of this intersection is crucial in determining the location and properties of an image formed by a lens or mirror.
The position of an object relative to a lens or mirror affects the position, size, and orientation of the image formed. For instance, an object placed closer to a convex lens will result in a larger and inverted image, while an object placed further away will result in a smaller and upright image.
A real image is formed when actual light rays converge at a point after passing through a lens or reflecting off a mirror. It can be projected onto a screen and is always inverted. On the other hand, a virtual image is formed when light rays appear to be coming from a point behind a mirror or lens. It cannot be projected onto a screen and can be either upright or inverted.
Geometric optics has many practical applications, such as in the design of corrective lenses for vision correction, telescopes, and microscopes. It is also used in the construction of optical instruments, such as cameras, projectors, and binoculars. Additionally, geometric optics is essential in understanding how light behaves in various optical systems, which is crucial in fields such as astronomy, medicine, and engineering.