Magnification for Curved Mirrors

The size of the image is determined by the magnification, which is the ratio of the image distance to the object distance. If the magnification is less than one, it means the image is smaller than the object. If the magnification is greater than one, it means the image is larger than the object. In summary, the sign of the magnification only affects the type of image, not its size. The size of the image is determined by the magnification, which is the ratio of the image distance to the object distance.
  • #1
NP04
23
1
Homework Statement
What determines the size of the image produced by a curved mirror (in terms of magnification)?
Relevant Equations
M = -d0/di
+ = upright image = virtual
- = inverted image = real
Magnification

|M|<1 = smaller
|M|>1 = larger

This is my reasoning because the magnification is -d0/di so it is the ratio that matters. Because wouldn't the sign just affect the type of image?? If you consider the sign in image size, you are saying that only one type of image (real/virtual) can be smaller and only one type can be larger.

Please help.
 
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  • #2
Is your magnification equation correct? I've looked in two different places and they both show it as -di/d0.
So if your image is closer to the lens/mirror than the object is, you have a linear magnification whose absolute value is less than one. Otherwise it is greater than one.

NP04 said:
Because wouldn't the sign just affect the type of image??

Yes, the sign just indicates whether you have an inverted (real) image or upright (virtual) image. It itself doesn't tell you anything about the size of the image.
 

1. What is magnification for curved mirrors?

Magnification for curved mirrors is the ratio of the size of an image formed by the mirror to the size of the object being reflected. It is a measure of how much the image is enlarged or reduced compared to the object.

2. How is magnification calculated for curved mirrors?

The formula for magnification in curved mirrors is M = -i/o, where M is the magnification, i is the image distance, and o is the object distance. A positive magnification indicates an upright image, while a negative magnification indicates an inverted image.

3. What is the difference between magnification for convex and concave mirrors?

In convex mirrors, the magnification is always positive, meaning the image is always upright and reduced in size. In concave mirrors, the magnification can be positive or negative depending on the object and image distances, meaning the image can be either upright or inverted and either enlarged or reduced in size.

4. How does the focal length of a curved mirror affect magnification?

The focal length of a curved mirror is directly related to the magnification. A shorter focal length results in a larger magnification, while a longer focal length results in a smaller magnification. This is because a shorter focal length means the mirror bends light more, creating a larger image.

5. Can magnification for curved mirrors be greater than 1?

Yes, magnification for curved mirrors can be greater than 1. This means that the image is larger than the object. However, the maximum magnification that can be achieved by a curved mirror is limited by the size of the mirror and the distance between the object and the mirror.

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