Need help with contraconcave mirrors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction and calculations related to contraconcave mirrors, particularly in the context of creating a mirage illusion using two concave mirrors. Participants explore the necessary dimensions and specifications for the mirrors and the hole required for visibility.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help with calculations regarding the aperture size of contraconcave mirrors, suggesting it should be equal to approximately 7 times their focal length.
  • Another participant advises that the hole in the mirror needs to be large enough for visibility of the object, emphasizing the need to see part of the mirror itself.
  • A participant expresses confidence in their calculations and plans to proceed with them, indicating a willingness to take risks in their project.
  • A later reply provides a rough diagram and describes a method of calculating the aperture based on the geometry of the mirrors, using the relationship between focal length and radius of curvature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correctness of the initial calculations, as one participant expresses uncertainty about the calculations without further details. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact specifications needed for the mirrors and the hole.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the geometry of the mirrors and the calculations involved, but these assumptions are not universally agreed upon. The specifics of the calculations and their implications are not fully explored or validated.

utkarsh5
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need help with contraconcave mirrors...

i saw the video of mirage illusion on the inter-net .it consists of two concave mirrors placed in front of each other such that focus point on each mirror is on the pole of the other mirror.one of the mirrors has a hole in between.i decided to make one for myself(as i can't get it here where i live).i calculated that the aperture of the mirrors should be equal to ?7 times their focal length(f*2.64).are my calculations correct?also,what size should i make the hole?i am asking this since i can't take risk of ordering wrong mirrors,since i can't get them here,so they will be costly.please answer.thanks in advance!
 
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Welcome to PF.
The hole needs to be big enough for you to see the object. It is not a projection image - you need to be able to see a bit of the mirror for it to work.

I cannot tell if your calculations are correct if I don't know your calculations.

Compare what you plan with the following:
http://www.wfu.edu/physics/demolabs/demos/6/6a/6A2035.html
 


thank you for your answer!i am going to go with my calculations,and use the corresponding focal lengths(what's science if there is no risk?:smile:)as for the size of the hole,i am definitely following your advice.again,thanks!:smile:
 


as for my calculations,i have uploaded a rough diagram as an attachment.i used the mirrors as as part of two spheres,intersecting each other.since focal length is half the radius of curvature,the line segment joining the two centers is trisected,with each part equal to focal length.between the mirrors,f is bisected again (just an imaginary bisection,to ease the calculation).applying pythagoras' theorem,we get half of aperture = root7 / 2 times f.so, aperture is root7 times f.
 

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  • contracon.jpg
    contracon.jpg
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