Question

EXPERIMENT:To show that image is as far behind the mirror as the object is infront of it?

Answer 1

When an object is placed in front of a mirror, two different observers appear to see an image of the object in different places. The light, however, travels from the single object to the mirror and then to the respective observers.

Notice how the light reflects from the smooth surface of the mirror, creating congruent or equal angles to the normal at each place it strikes the mirror. The two observers only see light when it has been reflected from the mirror in the proper manner.

It would appear that an infinite number of images is possible for a single object.

This is only the apparent source of the light so it is referred to as a virtual image. Virtual images are ones that are not formed by putting the light rays together, but only appear to exist as the apparent source of the light rays.



Use the vertical angle theorem and use the complementary angle theorem. Now, using the logic of ASA, the two triangles formed, one on the object side of the mirror, the other one behind the mirror, can be proven congruent.

Thus the triangle "behind" the mirror is the same size and shape as the triangle in front.

The object and its virtual image can be joined by a line which is perpendicular to the mirror, forming altitudes for the two triangles.

Now because the two perpendicular lines are altitudes for triangles that are exactly the same shape and size, their lengths must also be the same. This leads us to the following conclusion:

The image formed by a plane mirror will be as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it. A line joining the two will be perpendicular to the mirror.