Image construction with concave and convex mirrors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of images using concave and convex mirrors, focusing on the rules of image formation and the implications of ray behavior at curved surfaces. Participants explore the geometric principles involved in image construction and the effects of spherical aberration.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the correct method for image construction with concave and convex mirrors, noting discrepancies when rays are stopped at the mirror versus extending beyond it.
  • Another participant points out that the rules mentioned are based on the paraxial approximation, which may not apply to strongly curved surfaces, suggesting the need for proper ray tracing.
  • A later reply acknowledges the clarification and proposes a revised understanding of the construction process.
  • Further responses confirm the correctness of the revised approach, emphasizing that normals to the mirror surface point towards the center of curvature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for proper ray tracing when dealing with curved mirrors, but there is no consensus on the initial confusion regarding the stopping of rays at the mirror versus extending them.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the application of the paraxial approximation and the potential for spherical aberration in image formation with curved mirrors.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in optics, particularly those exploring the principles of image formation with mirrors.

eneacasucci
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image construction with concave and convex mirrors

I don't know exactly how to explain it but what I have noticed is that when I use the rules for image construction with concave and convex lenses the image is wrong if I don't use the extension of the ray to the tangent to the mirror (purple line).

If I stop the ray at the mirror the rays do not all converge at one point. Does this mean that I actually have to construct the image by making the rays go beyond the mirror?
The correct construction is the green one but I thought that the rays stop at the mirror (like the red construction), but this way the result does not come.

I have applied the rules in both cases:
a) The rays passing through C are not deflected.
b) Rays passing through F are reflected parallel to the optical axis.
c) Rays parallel to the optical axis are reflected in the focus F.
1733524964648.png
 
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Your stated rules are the rules for the paraxial approximation, where all angles are small and all optical components are approximately thin flat surfaces.

The image you've drawn, however, clearly doesn't fit that approximation. For such a strongly curved surface you'd need to do proper ray tracing - draw the normal where each ray strikes the surface and apply equality of angles of incidence and reflection. The resulting rays will still not all go through the same point, which is the origin of the phenomenon called spherical aberration.
 
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Thank you, i Think it is clearer now. I couldn't find on books proper information about those geometrical constructions.
So it should be something like this
1733677343189.png
 
Looks right, yes. Obviously the normals all point at ##C##.
 
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Ibix said:
Looks right, yes. Obviously the normals all point at ##C##.
oh yes right, I wasn't thinking about it but of course because as per definition: The radius of a circle is perpendicular to the tangent at every point on the circle
 
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