Negative Focal Length and Convex Mirrors: Is 1/di Negative?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that in the context of convex mirrors, the image distance (di) is always negative. This is a direct consequence of the spherical mirror equation, which states that the focal length (f) is also negative for convex mirrors. Consequently, virtual images produced by convex mirrors are characterized by negative values for both image distance and height.

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luysion
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Hey,
When dealing with convex mirrors I know that the image will always be virtual,upright and diminished. So when I am using descartes's formulae i know that for convex mirrors that the focal length is negative, but does my 1/di become negative? because virtual images have a negative height and distance.

Cheers
 
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Yes, the image distance is negative for a convex mirror. (This follows directly from the spherical mirror equation.)
 

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