Mirror Equation - Definition, Formula, Applications, FAQs

Spherical mirrors: concave and convex mirror

A curved mirror, on the other hand, can produce pictures that are larger or smaller than the item and can appear in front of or behind the mirror. In general, any curved surface will produce an image, though certain pictures may be so warped that they are unintelligible (think of funhouse mirrors). Curved mirrors are employed in a wide range of optical systems because they can provide such a diverse range of pictures.

JEE Main 2025: Physics Formula | Study Materials | High Scoring Topics | Preparation Guide

JEE Main 2025: Syllabus | Sample Papers | Mock Tests | PYQs | Study Plan 100 Days

NEET 2025: Syllabus | High Scoring Topics | PYQs

This Story also Contains

1. Spherical mirrors: concave and convex mirror
2. Mirror Definition
3. What is the Mirror formula and lens formula? What is mirror formula and lens formula Class 10 and write mirror formula?
4. Mirror Equation Applications

There are two general types of spherical mirrors. When the reflecting surface is the sphere's outer side, the mirror equation is referred to as a convex mirror. If the inside surface is the reflecting surface, then the mirror equation is called a concave mirror.

Mirror Definition

Mirror: If we know the object position and the focal length of the mirror, we may use the mirror equation formula of mirror and equations to determine where the image will develop. In the event of a real image, if we place a screen at that point, we will obtain the image of the object on the screen; otherwise, to capture the image, we must move the screen to various possible positions and check.

What is the Mirror formula and lens formula? What is mirror formula and lens formula Class 10 and write mirror formula?

The mirror equation is the relationship that connects the object distance, image distance, and the mirror formula is the equation of focal length. The focal length of a mirror equation is the distance between its pole and its major focus for small apertures. The symbol f represents the focal length. The mirror's focal length f. is related to its radius of curvature (R) by the equation:

f=R/2

As a result, the mirror equation is given by

1/v+1/u=2/R=1/f

Also read -

• NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics
• NCERT Solutions for All Subjects

Mirror Sign Conventions

The mirror equation adheres to the following sign conventions:

1.The mirror's principal axis is drawn along the x-axis of the rectangular coordinate system, and its pole is drawn as the origin.

2.The object is taken from the left side of the mirror, implying that light is incident on the mirror from the left.

3. All distances parallel to the mirror's major axis are measured from the mirror's pole.

4. Distances measured in the direction of incident light are considered positive.

5. Negative distances are those measured in the opposite direction of the incident light.

6. All heights measured upwards and perpendicular to the mirror's primary axis are considered positive.

7. The heights measured downwards and perpendicular to the mirror's major axis are considered negative.

As a result, the focal length of a concave mirror equation is negative, while the focal length of a convex mirror equation is positive. In addition, the object distance and object height are treated as negative and positive values, respectively.

Mirror formula and lens formula for concave mirror: Concave mirror formula

The effect of an object's position relative to the focal point of a mirror equation on the picture (concave)

1. When anything is placed between the focus point and the mirror.

The nature of the image formula produced will be Virtual, Upright and magnified.

2. When object is present at the focal point of the mirror.

Because reflected rays are parallel and never intersect, no image formula is generated.

The picture distance approaches infinity as S approaches F, and the image formula can be actual or virtual, upright or inverted, depending on whether S approaches F from the left or right side.

3. When an object is put between the focus and the centre of the curve.

The resulting image will be true/real image, Reversed (vertically) and enlarged (larger).

4. When an object is in the centre of the curve.

The resulting image will be a real image inverted (vertically), the same size.

At the centre of the curvature, an image is generated.

5. When an object extends beyond the centre of curvature.

The resulting image will be Real image, Reversed (vertically), Reduced (smaller).

As the object's distance grows, the picture approaches the focal point asymptotically.

As the image approaches F, the image size approaches 0 in the limit where S approaches infinity.

Also Read:

• NCERT solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Physics Solutions Chapter 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
• NCERT notes Class 12 Physics Chapter 9 Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Mirror formula for convex mirror: Convex mirror formula

The effect of an object's position relative to the focal point of a mirror equation on the picture (convex)

A convex mirror's image is always virtual (rays do not actually travel through the picture; their extensions do, as in a regular mirror), reduced as well as upright as object gets closer to mirror, image grows larger until it is roughly the size of the object when it reaches the mirror. Convex mirrors are highly useful because, because everything seems smaller in the mirror, they cover a greater field of vision than a conventional plane mirror, making them ideal for seeing at cars behind a driver's car on the road, viewing a larger area for surveillance, and so on.

Mirror Equation Applications

The Mirror equation is used in the following ways:

1. When the object distance and the focal length of the mirror equation are known, the mirror equation can be used to determine the image distance.
2. When we know the image distance and the focal length of the mirror, we can use the mirror equation to calculate the object distance.
3. The mirror equation allows us to calculate the focal length of the mirror equation simply by knowing the distance between the item and the image it generates.
4. When we use the mirror equation in conjunction with the magnification equation, we can obtain the value of either the image height or the object height when the other is specified.

Also check-

• NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Physics Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Physics Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Solutions for All Subjects

NCERT Physics Notes:

• NCERT Notes Class 11th Physics
• NCERT Notes Class 12th Physics
• NCERT Notes For All Subjects