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

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To find the object position for an upright image in a concave mirror with a focal length of 40 cm, the object distance (do) is calculated to be 30 cm, while the image distance (di) is -120 cm. The magnification is given as 4, indicating the image is four times the size of the object. The relevant equations used include the mirror formula (1/do + 1/di = 1/f) and the magnification formula (m = -di/do). A ray diagram can be constructed based on these distances to visualize the situation.
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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