Why Are Perpendicular Bisectors Used in Plane Mirror Diagrams?

AI Thread Summary
Perpendicular bisectors in plane mirror diagrams serve as normal lines that help visualize the relationship between incident and reflected rays, ensuring that the angles of incidence and reflection are equal. While they may not be strictly necessary for solving basic problems involving rays, they provide clarity in understanding the geometric principles of reflection. The discussion highlights that the use of these bisectors is more conceptual, aiding in the comprehension of optics rather than being essential for calculations. Members expressed that the dotted lines facilitate drawing accurate reflected rays. Overall, the role of perpendicular bisectors enhances the understanding of reflection in optics.
logearav
Messages
329
Reaction score
0
Optics -- plane mirror

Homework Statement



Revered members,
Kindly see my attachment. I don't understand the role of dotted lines in the diagram. Actually , DA, EC and NB are perpendicular bisectors. In the first place, why should we draw perpendicular bisectors? Can't we solve the problem with incident ray and reflected ray alone? Please help, members.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


 

Attachments

  • optics.png
    optics.png
    17.3 KB · Views: 492
Physics news on Phys.org


The bisectors help you to draw the reflected ray, as it makes an angle with it equal to that of the incident ray.

ehild
 


The perpendicular bisector is just the normal line to the mirror that creates the incident and reflected angles.

In this case I don't think they play a big role. This question seems more conceptual than anything.
 


Thanks for the replies ehild and Villyer. I got it now.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Mirror system in geometrical optics
Replies
9
Views
2K
Understanding the Math Behind A: Minimum Length of Plane Mirror
Replies
14
Views
3K
An analytic expression to describe spherical aberration
Replies
2
Views
1K
An optics question concerning pictures taken by camera
Replies
27
Views
1K
Virtual image on the perpendicular
Replies
2
Views
2K
Simple Optics Problem (plane mirror and lens)
Replies
5
Views
2K
Optics : How many images can be seen in inclined mirrors?
Replies
18
Views
2K
Virtual source at the back of the mirror
Replies
12
Views
2K
Image formed by a plane-concave lens and a concave mirror
Replies
1
Views
2K
Optics question: Looking at mirrors from parallel to the surface
Replies
6
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top