Spherical Mirror Formula
The spherical mirror formula is a relation that describes how object distance (u) and image distance (v) are related to the focal length (f) of a spherical mirror. The spherical mirror equation is one of the most important relations from optics in Physics.
The spherical mirror formula is given as,
1/f = 1/v + 1/u
Here,
- f is the focal length
- v is the image distance
- u is the object distance
The focal length of the mirror is equal to half of the radius of curvature of the spherical mirror and is given by the relation:
f = R/2
where,
- f is the focal length of the spherical mirror
- R is the Radius of Curvature of the spherical mirror
Magnification of the spherical mirror, determines how smaller or bigger the image is formed after reflection from the spherical mirror. Magnification is given either by the ratio of image and object height or by the ratio of image and object distance of the mirror.
m = I/O = v/u
where,
- I is the Height of the Image formed
- O is the Height of the Object
- v is the image distance
- u is the object distance
Spherical Mirrors
Spherical mirrors are generally constructed from glass. A spherical surface is a part cut from a hollow sphere. This curved surface of the glass has a silver coating on one side and a polished surface on the other, where the reflection of light takes place. The term “convex mirror” refers to a mirror where the reflection occurs at the convex surface, and the term “concave mirror” refers to a mirror where the reflection occurs at the concave surface. The passenger-side wing mirrors of automobiles are the most common examples of convex mirrors.
Table of Content
- Spherical Mirrors
- Spherical Mirror Formula
- History of Spherical Mirrors in Human Civilization
- Basic Terminologies for Spherical Mirrors
- Structure of Spherical Mirrors
- Types of Spherical Mirrors
- Sign Conventions for Spherical Mirrors
- Image Formation by Spherical Mirrors
- Uses of Spherical Mirrors