How Do You Calculate Image Position and Magnification with a Concave Mirror?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate image position and magnification with a concave mirror, the focal length is half the radius of curvature, which is 30 cm for a 60 cm radius. For an object at 90 cm, the image distance can be found using the mirror formula, while for 20 cm, a different calculation applies. Magnification is determined by the ratio of image height to object height, and it can also be calculated using image and object distances. Ray diagrams can help visualize the image formation based on specific rules for light reflection. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving the homework assignment effectively.
Tom Petty
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I'm really bad at physics and am quite lost on a homework assignment of mine. Any help that I can get would be fantastic, thanks.


Homework Statement


A concave mirror has a radius of curvature of 60 cm. Calculate the image position and magnification of an object placed in front of the mirror at distances of (a) 90 cm and (b) 20 cm. (c) Draw ray diagrams to obtain the image in each case.


Homework Equations



Not sure of any relevant equations.

The Attempt at a Solution



I actually don't know much about this particular subject but in my attempt to draw some ray diagrams I assumed the real image would be magnified as smaller than the object. Also I think that the image is directly behind the lens the same distance as the object is in front of the mirror. So for example for a. the image would be 90 cm behind the lens. I don't really want answers so much as I would like to see if I'm doing something wrong, because I feel that I am.
 
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The focal length is one half of the radius. You are given the object distance. You are asked to find the image distance. You have a formula that relates the focal length, the image distance, and the object distance. Plug numbers in.

The magnification is the ratio of the image height to the object height. You have a formula that relates that to the image distance and the object distance. Plug numbers in.

To draw the ray diagram, you have a list of rules for what would happen when rays reflect from the mirror, assuming that each of the incident rays was traveling in a specific direction, such as parallel to the principal axis, or through a focus, etc.
 
Thank you, though you keep saying "I have the formula", I don't think I do... In any case however, I understand
 
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