What type of image is formed by a concave mirror when the object is placed at infinity?
- AOption (a)
Same size as the object and real
- BOption (b)
Highly enlarged and virtual
- COption (c)
Enlarged, virtual and upright
- DOption (d)
Highly diminished, real and inverted
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Correct answer
Highly diminished, real and inverted
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is Highly diminished, real and inverted.
Key Points
- When an object is placed at infinity in front of a concave mirror, the light rays from the object are considered to be parallel to the principal axis.
- These parallel rays converge at the focus of the concave mirror after reflection, forming the image.
- The image formed is highly diminished because all the rays meet at a single point, making the size of the image negligible compared to the object.
- The image is real because it is formed by the actual convergence of rays after reflection.
- The image is inverted because the reflected rays flip the orientation of the object.
Additional Information
- Concave Mirrors:
- Concave mirrors are spherical mirrors that curve inward, resembling the inside of a sphere.
- They are capable of converging light rays and are commonly used in applications like telescopes, headlights, and shaving mirrors.
- Image Formation Based on Object Position:
- If the object is at infinity, the image is formed at the focus, is highly diminished, real, and inverted.
- If the object is beyond the center of curvature, the image is diminished, real, and inverted.
- If the object is at the center of curvature, the image is the same size, real, and inverted.
- If the object is between the focus and the mirror, the image is enlarged, virtual, and upright.
- Applications of Concave Mirrors:
- Used in telescopes for capturing distant celestial objects.
- Applied in dentistry and surgical procedures for magnified viewing.
- Used in solar concentrators to focus sunlight for energy generation.
- In car headlights, concave mirrors are used to create a parallel beam of light.
- Real and Virtual Images:
- A real image is formed when light rays actually converge, and it can be captured on a screen.
- A virtual image is formed when the rays appear to diverge from a point and cannot be captured on a screen.
Important Points
- Principal Focus: The point where parallel rays converge after reflection in a concave mirror.
- Center of Curvature: The center of the sphere from which the mirror segment is derived.
- Focal Length: The distance between the principal focus and the pole of the mirror.
- Mirror Formula: The mathematical relationship governing mirrors: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, where f = focal length, v = image distance, and u = object distance.