Chapter 10.2, Problem 4cT

Determine the image location using the method of ray tracing from section III. (If it is necessary to extent a ray to show from where light appears to come, use a dashed line.)

Does the light that reaches the observer actually come from the image location or does this light only appear to come from that point?

What is the smallest number of rays that you must draw in using ray tracing to determine the location of the image of an object?

How does the distance between the mirror and the image location compare to the distance between the mirror and the pin?

The diagram that you drew above to determine the image location is called a ray diagram. The point from which the reflected light appears to come (i.e., the location of the pin that you saw when you looked in the mirror) is called the image location. An image is said to be virtual when the light that forms the image does not actually pass through the image location. An image is said to be real when the light that forms the image does pass through the image location.

When drawing ray diagrams, use a solid line with an arrow head to represent a ray, that is, a path that light takes. Use a dashed line to extend a ray to show from where light appears to come in order to distinguish such a line from an actual ray.