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L3-14. Large Concave Mirror

Purpose

To illustrate the types of images created by a concave mirror.

Images

l3-14

Description

Observe and describe the image of the class sitting in front of the mirror when the mirror is at a reasonably largedistance away (inverted, small, real). Ask your students if they have this kind of mirror at home. After they say no, hold the mirror close to your face an let them view the image by turning your back to the class, producing an upright, large, virtual image. ◙◙Suggest that they try the following experiment with their make-up or shaving mirror: Place the mirror on a chair or dresser and view their image from a distance of eight to ten feet. The image will be upside down and small,

References

Gordon P. Ramsey, Reflective Properties of a Parabolic Mirror, TPT 29, 240-241 (1991). ◙Samuel Derman, Letter: Focusing Attention on the Parabolic Reflector, TPT 29, 327 (1991).