Optics question, locate mirror and its focal length

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a spherical mirror and the formation of an image from an object placed on a meter stick. The object is 10 cm tall, and the image produced is upright and 4 cm tall, located at the 42 cm mark. The task is to determine the location of the mirror and its focal length.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the characteristics of the mirror, with one suggesting it must be a convex mirror due to the nature of the image. There are inquiries about the specific rays used in the ray diagram to locate the mirror and its focal point.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the image characteristics and questioning the methods for determining the mirror's location and focal length. Guidance has been offered regarding the types of rays to consider in the analysis.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the properties of the image and the type of mirror, with assumptions about the nature of the image being upright and reduced in size. The problem constraints include the specific measurements given in the scenario.

SlothNast
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Homework Statement



"An object 10 cm tall is placed at the zero mark of a meter stick. A spherical mirror located at some point on the meter stick creates an image of the object that is upright, 4 cm tall, and located at the 42 cm mark of the meter stick. Where is the mirror located and what is the focal length?"

Homework Equations



1/do + 1/di = 1/f

The Attempt at a Solution


 
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What have you done so far?
 
Well I've determined it must be a convex mirror, for the upright and miniature image. I have drawn a few rays from the real 10 cm object to the 4 cm image, but I am not sure how to find the location of the mirror and its focal point from that.
 
What rays in particular have you tried? Just two rays is enough.
 

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