Chapter 35, Problem 55AP

Why is the following situation impossible? Consider the lens–mirror combination shown in Figure P35.55. The lens has a focal length of f_L = 0.200 m, and the mirror has a focal length of f_M = 0.500 m. The lens and mirror are placed a distance d = 1.30 m apart, and an object is placed at p = 0.300 m from the lens. By moving a screen to various positions to the left of the lens, a student finds two different positions of the screen that produce a sharp image of the object. One of these positions corresponds to light leaving the object and traveling to the left through the lens. The other position corresponds to light traveling to the right from the object, reflecting from the mirror and then passing through the lens.

Figure P35.55 Problem 55 and 57.