Question about law of reflection

In summary, the law "the image is formed back in the mirror at a distance equal to that of the object from the mirror applicable" only applies if the observer is on the same side of the mirror as the object. If the observer is on the opposite side of the mirror, the law is not applicable.
  • #1
sachin123
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When is the law "the image is formed back in the mirror at a distance equal to that of the object from the mirror applicable?

Consider a plane mirror,with a glass slab on it.
Let an object be placed in front of it outside the slab, in air.
Now due to normal shift the mirror will see the object at a distance greater than the actual distance.Now should we use object distance =image distance with this distance,or...

an observer standing near object will see the mirror at a distance closer than it actually is.
Now,should we use object distance = image distance with this distance?

Can someone clear this out for me?I have to use this concept for many problems.
Or how at all should I do problems like this?
Thank You.
 
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  • #2
sachin123 said:
Consider a plane mirror,with a glass slab on it.
Let an object be placed in front of it outside the slab, in air.
Now due to normal shift the mirror will see the object at a distance greater than the actual distance.Now should we use object distance =image distance with this distance,or...
it will be lesser distance because mostly slabs are denser than air ... it will be greater if slab is rarer than original material (i assumed it to be air)


sachin123 said:
an observer standing near object will see the mirror at a distance closer than it actually is.
Now,should we use object distance = image distance with this distance?

for mirror both object and image will be at equal distance but for object ... distance from image will not be twice of its distance from mirror

Let original distance is d and shift is x

so object distance from mirror is d-x and also image distance is d-x.
 
  • #3
Hey.
So you're saying that we must keep an observer near the mirror and then view the object,and find object distance and blindly use u=v?

Are you sure?
I have heard people argue that that can't be done as the rays after reflection will further get refracted at the slab air interface and this is completely ignored by the method suggested by you.Am i right?
 
  • #4
the image distance in this kind of questions depends on where is the observer

if observer is b/w mirror and slab then second refraction will have no effect
if he is on left of slab ie towards object then you must consider second refraction
 
  • #5


The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. This law applies to all types of reflection, including reflection from a mirror. In the scenario described, the image will always appear at a distance equal to that of the object from the mirror, regardless of the presence of a glass slab or the observer's position.

When the object is placed outside the glass slab, the image will appear at a distance equal to the actual distance of the object from the mirror. This is because the glass slab does not affect the reflection of light, it only shifts the position of the mirror.

Similarly, when the observer is standing near the object, the image will still appear at a distance equal to the actual distance of the object from the mirror. This is because the observer's position does not change the angle of reflection, only their perspective of the image.

In terms of problem-solving, it is important to understand the concept of the law of reflection and how it applies to different scenarios. For example, when solving problems involving reflection in a plane mirror, you can simply use the law of reflection to determine the location of the image. However, if the problem involves multiple reflections or the use of curved mirrors, more complex calculations may be necessary.

In summary, the law of reflection is always applicable when dealing with reflection from a mirror, regardless of the presence of a glass slab or the observer's position. Understanding this concept is crucial for solving problems involving reflection accurately.
 

FAQ: Question about law of reflection

1. What is the law of reflection?

The law of reflection is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the angle of incidence of a light ray is equal to the angle of reflection. This means that when light hits a smooth surface, it bounces off at the same angle that it hit the surface.

2. Why is the law of reflection important?

The law of reflection is important because it explains how light behaves when it hits a surface. This helps us understand how images are formed in mirrors and how light reflects off of other objects.

3. How does the law of reflection relate to everyday life?

The law of reflection has many applications in everyday life. It is the principle behind how we see ourselves in a mirror, how headlights reflect off of road signs, and how we can see objects that are not directly in our line of sight.

4. Does the law of reflection only apply to visible light?

No, the law of reflection applies to all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet light. It also applies to other types of waves, such as sound waves and water waves.

5. Are there any exceptions to the law of reflection?

Yes, there are a few exceptions to the law of reflection. One example is when light reflects off of a rough or irregular surface, causing the light rays to scatter in different directions. Another exception is when light reflects off of a curved surface, such as in a concave or convex mirror, where the angle of reflection is not equal to the angle of incidence.

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