CONCAVE MIRROR SIMULATION

Concept of Image Formation by a Concave Mirror

A concave mirror forms images by reflecting light rays from an object. The nature, position, and size of the image depend on the position of the object relative to the principal focus (F), center of curvature (C), and pole (P) of the mirror. The behavior of three principal rays is analyzed:

• Blue Ray: Incident parallel to the principal axis, reflects through the principal focus (F).
• Green Ray: Passes through the pole (P) and reflects symmetrically.
• Purple Ray: Passes through or appears to pass through the principal focus (F) and reflects parallel to the principal axis.

Dotted lines indicate extrapolated rays for locating virtual images.

---

Case 1: Object Beyond C

• Position of Object: AB is beyond C.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms between C and F.
• Nature of Image: Real, inverted, and smaller than the object.
• Explanation:
  1. The blue ray passes parallel to the principal axis and reflects through F.
  2. The purple ray passes through F and reflects parallel to the principal axis.
  3. The green ray strikes the pole and reflects symmetrically.
     These rays converge between C and F, forming A’B’.

---

Case 2: Object at C

• Position of Object: AB is at C.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms at C.
• Nature of Image: Real, inverted, and the same size as the object.
• Explanation:
  Similar ray behavior causes convergence at C, forming an image with identical dimensions to the object.

---

Case 3: Object Between C and F

• Position of Object: AB is between C and F.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms beyond C.
• Nature of Image: Real, inverted, and larger than the object.
• Explanation:
  Converging rays (blue, green, purple) meet beyond C due to the increased angle of incidence, forming an enlarged image.

---

Case 4: Object at F

• Position of Object: AB is at F.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms at infinity.
• Nature of Image: Real, inverted, and highly magnified.
• Explanation:
  Reflected rays become parallel and do not converge within a finite distance. The image appears at infinity.

---

Case 5: Object Between F and P

• Position of Object: AB is between F and P.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms on the same side as the object.
• Nature of Image: Virtual, erect, and larger than the object.
• Explanation:
  1. The blue ray reflects through F, and its dotted extension meets the extrapolated purple ray.
  2. The green ray reflects symmetrically through the pole.
     These extrapolated rays meet on the same side of the mirror to form a virtual image.

---

Case 6: Object at Infinity

• Position of Object: AB is at infinity.
• Position of Image: A’B’ forms at F.
• Nature of Image: Real, inverted, and highly diminished.
• Explanation:
  Parallel rays from the object converge at F, forming a point-like image.

---