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  1. AP Physics 2 Revised
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What are the three principal rays used in ray diagrams for mirrors?

  1. Parallel Ray: Reflects through the focal point (concave) or appears to come from the focal point (convex). 2. Center Ray: Reflects at the same angle. 3. Focal Ray: Passes through the focal point (concave) or directed toward the focal point (convex) reflects parallel to the principal axis.
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What are the three principal rays used in ray diagrams for mirrors?

  1. Parallel Ray: Reflects through the focal point (concave) or appears to come from the focal point (convex). 2. Center Ray: Reflects at the same angle. 3. Focal Ray: Passes through the focal point (concave) or directed toward the focal point (convex) reflects parallel to the principal axis.

How do you determine the image location using ray diagrams?

Draw at least two principal rays accurately. The intersection of the reflected rays indicates the image location.

Define concave mirror.

A mirror that curves inward, also known as a converging mirror.

Define convex mirror.

A mirror that bulges outward, also known as a diverging mirror.

Define plane mirror.

A flat mirror that reflects light without converging or diverging.

Define real image.

An image formed when light rays converge in front of the mirror; it can be projected onto a screen.

Define virtual image.

An image formed when light rays appear to diverge from behind the mirror; it cannot be projected onto a screen.

Define focal length (fff).

The distance from the mirror's surface to its focal point.

Define image magnification (MMM).

The ratio of the image size to the object size: ∣M∣=∣hiho∣=∣siso∣|M|=\left|\frac{h_{i}}{h_{o}}\right|=\left|\frac{s_{i}}{s_{o}}\right|∣M∣=​ho​hi​​​=​so​si​​​

What are the steps to determine image characteristics using a ray diagram?

  1. Draw the mirror and principal axis. 2. Draw the object. 3. Draw at least two principal rays accurately. 4. Locate the image at the intersection of the reflected rays. 5. Determine if the image is upright or inverted, real or virtual, and reduced, enlarged, or the same size.