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a) For an image that is in front of a mirror, is the image distance positive or

ID: 1440025 • Letter: A

Question

a) For an image that is in front of a mirror, is the image distance positive or negative?
b) Given the image distance, what additional information is needed to determine the focal length? Explain.
c) For an inverted image is the image height positive or negative?
d) Given the object and image heights and a statement as to whether the image is upright or inverted, what additional information is needed to determine the object distance?
e) A small statue has a height of 3.5 cm and is placed in front of a concave mirror. The image of the statue is inverted, 1.5 cm tall, and is located 13 cm in front of the mirror. Find the focal length of the mirror.

Explanation / Answer

a) negative

b) object distance => 1/u + 1/v = 1/f

c) negative

d) image distance => hi/ho = - v/u

e) using (d) (-1.5)/3.5 = -(-13)/u => u = -30.33 cm

now using (b) 1/f = 1/(-13) + 1/(-30.33) => f = -9.1 cm