(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
5.2 Using Mirrors to Form Images
• All mirrors reflect light according to the law of reflection.
• A flat smooth mirror is called a plane mirror. The mirror on the wall, in your bathroom, is probably a plane mirror.
See page 182
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
Plane Mirrors
• Plane mirrors form an image that is upright and appears to be as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
• Left and right appear to be reversed in a plane mirror.
See pages 183 - 184
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
Concave Mirrors
• A concave mirror is a mirror that curves inward.
• Light reflecting off a concave mirror meet at a single point called the focal point. Light rays that come together are called converging rays.
See page 185
Concave Mirrors
• The image formed by a concave mirror depends on the location of the object (see A, B, C).
• Flashlights, car headlights, and telescopes, are a few applications of concave mirrors.
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
Convex Mirrors
• A convex mirror is a mirror that curves outwards.
• Reflected rays from a convex mirror diverge and do not meet.
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
(c) McGraw Hill Ryerson 2007
Convex Mirrors
See page 186
• The image formed by a convex mirror have two characteristics: Objects appear to be smaller than they
are. More objects can be seen in a convex
mirror than in a plane mirror.
Convex mirrors are used in stores as security mirrors
Take the Section 5.2 Quiz
