Question

Sign convention for reflection by spherical mirrors 0

Answer 1

Answer :-

The sign conventions for the reflection of light by spherical mirror are as follows :-

• While carrying out the calculations, the object is always placed to the left of the mirror.

• All the distances parallel to the principal axis are always measured from the pole of the spherical mirror.

• All the distances measured along the direction of the incident ray of light (along the positive x-axis) are considered to be positive.

• All the distances measured opposite to the direction of the incident ray of light (along the negative x-axis) are considered to be negative.

• The distances measured in upward direction i.e. perpendicular to the x-axis and along the positive y-axis, are considered to be positive.

• The distances measured in downward direction (along the negative y-axis), i.e. perpendicular to the x-axis, are considered to be negative.

Note :-

The mirror formula is,

$\frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u} = \frac{1}{f}$

where :-

v = Distance between image and mirror.

u = Distance between object and mirror.

f = Focal length of the mirror.