How far from the mirror should the light source be positioned?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the optimal distance for positioning a point light source relative to a concave spherical mirror to achieve a desired projection on a screen. The relevant equation provided is Lf / (L - f(1 + d/D)), but there is confusion regarding the relationship between the mirror's diameter (D) and the diameter of the beam (d). Participants emphasize the importance of using geometry rather than solely relying on the mirror equation to find the solution. A better diagram is suggested to clarify the relationships between the variables involved. Ultimately, the correct interpretation of the mirror's diameter leads to a successful resolution of the problem.
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Homework Statement
A projector is built using a point light source and a concave spherical mirror. The rays reflected in the mirror hit a screen that is at a distance L from the mirror. The beam of light falling on the bulkhead has a diameter d. The mirror diameter is worth D and its focal length, f. How far from the mirror should the light source be positioned?
Relevant Equations
1/f = 1/p + 1/p'
Sem título.png

C= mirror center
O = vertex

I don't know if the design is right, if someone can show me the correct one. I also don't know how to proceed in geometry

Solution: Lf / ( L - f( 1 + d/D))
 
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A13235378 said:
Homework Statement:: A projector is built using a point light source and a concave spherical mirror. The rays reflected in the mirror hit a screen that is at a distance L from the mirror. The beam of light falling on the bulkhead has a diameter d. The mirror diameter is worth D and its focal length, f. How far from the mirror should the light source be positioned?
Relevant Equations:: 1/f = 1/p + 1/p'

View attachment 267547
C= mirror center
O = vertex

I don't know if the design is right, if someone can show me the correct one. I also don't know how to proceed in geometry

Solution: Lf / ( L - f( 1 + d/D))
Is the solution you present yours or someone else's? You have a relevant equation which is the right one to use. What are f, p and p' in terms of the given quantities L and D? Which of the three is the unknown? Just substitute in the equation the known quantities and solve for the unknown.
 
kuruman said:
Is the solution you present yours or someone else's? You have a relevant equation which is the right one to use. What are f, p and p' in terms of the given quantities L and D? Which of the three is the unknown? Just substitute in the equation the known quantities and solve for the unknown.

This solution is from my book, I used the Gaussian equation, but I was unable to relate D and d. I used p= x (what I want to find) and p'= L . Where I put D and d
 
Actually the mirror equation that you have is for the locating the image of the object. You have a point source which should produce a point image at point p' from the mirror, not a circle of diameter ##d##. So the idea is to abandon the mirror equation and use geometry to get the answer. A better diagram should be very helpful. I need to think about this some more and draw my own diagram.
 
A13235378 said:
I don't know if the design is right, if someone can show me the correct one. I also don't know how to proceed in

I think the diameter D of the mirror is as shown below:
1597095214875.png


My hint would be to extend rays 1 and 2 back behind the mirror. What is the significance of the point of intersection of the these lines?
 
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Arrgh! I interpreted D to be the diameter as in D = 2R = 4f. It makes much more sense now.
 
TSny said:
I think the diameter D of the mirror is as shown below:
View attachment 267595

My hint would be to extend rays 1 and 2 back behind the mirror. What is the significance of the point of intersection of the these lines?
It worked , ty
 
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