What is the Image Distance for a Concave Mirror with R=150cm and Do=?

In summary, light from a distant star is collected by a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 150 cm. The image of the star is 75 cm away from the mirror. This is determined by using the formula 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, where f is the focal length, do is the object distance (which is at infinity in this case), and di is the image distance. One of the rules of concave mirrors is that the focal length is half the radius of curvature. Another rule is that parallel light going in will come out through the focus, and light going in through the focus will come out parallel. A sketch can be drawn to visualize this.
  • #1
whitehorsey
192
0
1. Light from a distant star is collected by a concave mirror. How far from the mirror is the image of the star if the radius of curvature is 150 cm?



2. 1/f = 1/do + 1/di



3. 1/f = 1/do + 1/di
f = 150/2 = 75 cm
di = dof/do - f
= do(75)/do- 75

I don't know what do is or if there is one. If there is one, can you tell me what it is. Thank You!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


The object distance is at infinity (or pretty close!) so the light arrives parallel
 
  • #3


mgb_phys said:
The object distance is at infinity (or pretty close!) so the light arrives parallel

um.. what do u mean by the light is parallel? oh and i know that the answer is 75 cm but i don't know how to get it.
 
  • #4


One of the rules of a concave mirror is that the focal length is half the radius of curvature.

Rules of optics
Parallel light in goes out through the focus
Light in through the focus goes out parallel

draw a sketch with the focal point, the centre of curvature an the light ray
 
  • #5


oh ok thank you!
 

What is the "Physics mirror problem"?

The "Physics mirror problem" refers to a thought experiment in which a mirror is placed in a vacuum and a beam of light is shone at it. The question is whether the light will be reflected or pass through the mirror.

What is the significance of this problem?

This problem highlights the duality of light, as it can behave as both a wave and a particle. The outcome of the experiment depends on the interpretation of light's behavior, and it has implications for our understanding of the physical world.

What is the traditional explanation for the behavior of light in this experiment?

The traditional explanation is that the light will be partially reflected and partially transmitted through the mirror. This is based on the wave nature of light, as it can be thought of as a disturbance in the electromagnetic field.

What is the alternative explanation for the behavior of light in this experiment?

The alternative explanation is that the light will behave as a particle and either be reflected or transmitted through the mirror. This is based on the particle nature of light, as it can be thought of as a stream of particles called photons.

Has this problem been solved?

No, the "Physics mirror problem" has not been definitively solved and is still a topic of debate and research in the field of physics. It continues to challenge our understanding of the fundamental nature of light and the laws of physics.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
456
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
905
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
884
Back
Top