The Focal Length of Spherical Mirrors
THE FOCAL LENGTH OF SPHERICAL MIRRORS
Section 1: The Focal length of a concave mirror
Section 2: The focal length of a convex mirror
Done by:
I.D: 201100635
24 Oct. 11
Section 1: To determine the focal length of a Concave Mirror by locating the centre of curvature.
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ABSTRACT:
In this paper we want to discuss the focal point of a concave mirror by locating the centre of curvature. The focal point is a point in space at which light incident towards the mirror and travelling parallel to the principal axis will meet after reflection. The diagram at the right depicts this principle. In fact, if some light from the sun were collected by a concave mirror, then it would converge at the focal point! When a ray of light is incident on a polished surface, it is reflected in such a way that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. A ray through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror is reflected back through the same path. This is because it is at an angle of 90 degrees. The radius of curvature is the straight line from the centre of curvature, to the arc of the mirror. The focal length of a concave mirror is the length between the focal point, where parallel rays converge after reflection, and the centre of the mirror. Focal length, object distance and image distance are all related by the equation 1/f = 1/u + 1/v (where u and v are object and image distance respectively). As the object distance increases, the image distance approaches the value of the focal length (f). The image distance when the object distance equals the radius of curvature; where 2f = R.
2/R = 1/R + 1/v
1/R (2-1) = 1/v
1/R = 1/v
R = v (image distance)
Proving that the image distance is equal to radius of curvature.
Intro:
We see an object because light from the object travels to our eyes as we sight along a line at the object. Similarly, we see an image of an object because light from the object reflects off a mirror and
Section 1: The Focal length of a concave mirror
Section 2: The focal length of a convex mirror
Done by:
I.D: 201100635
24 Oct. 11
Section 1: To determine the focal length of a Concave Mirror by locating the centre of curvature.
-------------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT:
In this paper we want to discuss the focal point of a concave mirror by locating the centre of curvature. The focal point is a point in space at which light incident towards the mirror and travelling parallel to the principal axis will meet after reflection. The diagram at the right depicts this principle. In fact, if some light from the sun were collected by a concave mirror, then it would converge at the focal point! When a ray of light is incident on a polished surface, it is reflected in such a way that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. A ray through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror is reflected back through the same path. This is because it is at an angle of 90 degrees. The radius of curvature is the straight line from the centre of curvature, to the arc of the mirror. The focal length of a concave mirror is the length between the focal point, where parallel rays converge after reflection, and the centre of the mirror. Focal length, object distance and image distance are all related by the equation 1/f = 1/u + 1/v (where u and v are object and image distance respectively). As the object distance increases, the image distance approaches the value of the focal length (f). The image distance when the object distance equals the radius of curvature; where 2f = R.
2/R = 1/R + 1/v
1/R (2-1) = 1/v
1/R = 1/v
R = v (image distance)
Proving that the image distance is equal to radius of curvature.
Intro:
We see an object because light from the object travels to our eyes as we sight along a line at the object. Similarly, we see an image of an object because light from the object reflects off a mirror and
Bibliography: Archibald, L. (2008). Advanced Physics . In W. B. Winzor, Advanced Physics (pp. 112-130). Chicago: Pearson Longman. Focal Length. (2009, 12 12). Retrieved 10 23, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length Mossin, M. (2005, 03 29). Convex Mirrors. Retrieved 10 23, 2011, from Physics 20: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/physics/u3b32phy.html White, W. (1999, 02 19). Retrieved 2000, from http://electron9.phys.utk.edu/optics421/modules/m1/mirrors.htm: http://electron9.phys.utk.edu/optics421/modules/m1/mirrors.htm