How Do You Calculate the Radius of Curvature for a Mirror?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Huskies213
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Curvature
AI Thread Summary
The radius of curvature for a mirror is not simply double the distance from the mirror. To calculate it, one must consider the magnification and the relationship between the focal length and the radius of curvature, where the radius of curvature equals 2 times the focal length. In this case, the magnification of 1.5 indicates a specific relationship that needs to be analyzed to find the focal length. The mirror's shape remains constant regardless of the distance from the object, but the image changes. Understanding these principles will help accurately determine the radius of curvature.
Huskies213
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
:confused: Can anyone explain what i am doing wrong?
I thought the radius of curvature is 2 x the distance from mirror..

A mirror produces an image magnified by 1.5 when your face is 29 cm from the mirror. What is the radius of curvature?

I thought it would be .29m x 2 = .58m... but that is wrong.. can anyone help?!?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The radius of curvature of a mirror is a statement about the shape of the mirror. Does a mirror change shape when you move to different distances from it?
 
RE mirrors

no the mirror doesn't change shape when you move distances from it. the image does... *more hints ...im still lost...
 
You need to work out the Radius of Curvature from the magnification.

Also, Radius of Curvature = 2 x the focal length (f) - so if you can figure out f, then you can figure out the radius of curvature quite easily.

Claude.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Correct statement about a concave mirror
Replies
26
Views
3K
Could the Image from the First Mirror Be Real for the Second Mirror?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Is the Solution for Rotation of Spherical Mirrors Incorrect?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Find the location and length of the final image
Replies
2
Views
836
Concave mirror reflection, problems with drawing setup
Replies
5
Views
1K
Why can't we do this by using radius of curvature?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Mirror system in geometrical optics
Replies
9
Views
2K
Mirror placed horizontally between two half convex lenses
Replies
11
Views
1K
I Understanding magnification of concave mirrors for near-eye situation?
Replies
11
Views
2K
How Does a Combined Lens and Mirror System Create Images?
Replies
1
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top