How Do You Find the Object Position for an Upright Image in a Concave Mirror?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the object position for an upright image formed by a concave mirror with a given focal length of 40 cm. The original poster seeks to understand how to approach the problem, particularly in relation to the object distance and image distance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definitions of object distance (do) and image distance (di) and their relevance to the problem. There are attempts to set up equations based on the mirror formula and magnification. Some participants suggest using a system of equations to solve for the distances.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the equations needed to solve the problem, with some participants providing guidance on how to set up the relationships between the distances and magnification. While some have attempted calculations, there is no explicit consensus on the final approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of working with limited information and the need to clarify the relationship between the object and image distances. The original poster also expresses uncertainty about constructing a ray diagram, indicating that this part of the problem remains unaddressed.

elementozzy
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So I originally posted a thread for my optics homework listing every question from a worksheet AND my attempts. Apparently, it's seen as spam so I have tried and am now posting the second question.

Homework Statement


A concave mirror has a focal length of 40 cm. Determine the object position for which the resulting image is upright and four times the size of the object. Construct a ray diagram for this situation.

GIVEN DATA
Focal length= 40 c.m


Homework Equations


(1/do)+(1/di)=1/f

The Attempt at a Solution



I can't really attempt it because I barely have any information. How can I determine the object position with only the focal length.

And what exactly are do and di?
 
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What happens to the light as it passes through the mirror?
 
lens*
 
elementozzy
do and di usually mean the distance from the object to the vertex of the mirror and the distance of the image to the vertex of the mirror, respectively.

Try something now.

Also, do you know how the relation between do and di is related to the ratio between the height of the object and the height of its image?BiGyeILoWhAt
Why did you "correct" your post to lens? You could just have edited your first post.
Also, according to what the problem states, it is a mirror.
 
Lol yea I did, I don't know why, I was at work, and posted in a hurry, I guess I thought I misread it. Oh well.
 
Well I'm attempting to first fill in the equations that I have with as much data as possible.

Also, I forgot to add in another equation. m= -di/do

So I now have

(1/do)+(1/di)= 1/40

and since the magnification is 4x ("four times the size of the object")

I have 4= -di/do

what now?
 
Oh!

Maybe, do I set up a system of equations?

Just tried that----- came up with nothing...
 
About the system of equations. It is the right way to go.

ALSO, you have 2 different equations and 2 variables to solve for. Just go for it, everything you posted is correct.
 
  • #10
You should definitely learn how to solve a system simple as that.

It is for your own good. It is not a matter of ours.

\begin{cases}\frac{1}{d_o}+\frac{1}{d_i}=\frac{1}{40}\\4=-\frac{d_i}{d_o}\end{cases}
4=-\frac{d_i}{d_o}\Rightarrow{}d_i=-4d_o
\frac{1}{d_o}-\frac{1}{4d_o}=\frac{1}{40}
\frac{3}{4d_o}=\frac{1}{40}\Rightarrow{}4d_o=120\Rightarrow{}d_o=30
d_i=-4(30)=-120

Then, give the answer with the proper dimensions.

\begin{cases}d_o=30\;\text{cm}\\d_i=-120\;\text{cm}\end{cases}
 
  • #11
Thanks but I'm not sure how to apporach the second part of the question...

"Construct a ray diagram for this situation."
 

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