The image in a mirror is an optical phenomenon that is often confusing. The nature of this shadow can be an interesting topic to study.
The nature of the image in a mirror has many applications in everyday life so we need to understand it.
It helps us understand how light interacts with mirror surfaces, how images are formed, and why images have certain characteristics.
Let’s learn more about the properties of shadows on mirrors. Teach the Little One, yes, Moms.
Also Read: Does the Moon Have Its Own Light? This is the Answer!
Understanding Shadows and Characteristics of Shadows
Photo: Shadow from a Glass (Istockphoto.com)
According to European Journal of Physics Educationshadows are dark areas where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object.
This shadow fills the entire three-dimensional volume behind the object with light in front of it.
A shadow cross section is a two-dimensional silhouette or inverted projection of an object blocking light
Meanwhile, shadow properties are characteristics or attributes possessed by shadows which are formed when light reflects or passes through an object and creates a shadow projection on another surface.
Shadow properties include aspects such as shape, size, position, orientation, clarity, color, and the influence of the intermediary medium in shadow formation.
Understanding the nature of shadows is important in the field of optics to analyze how light interacts with objects and surfaces, as well as how shadows can be used in various contexts, such as photography, technology and optical devices.
Also Read: Refraction of Light: Definition, Properties, Laws, and Examples
Properties of Shadows in Mirrors
Photo: Reflection in the Mirror (Unsplash.com/Михаил Секацкий)
A mirror image is an image formed when light reflects on a mirror surface.
When light reflects on a mirror, it creates the properties of a shadow. This can occur in a plane mirror, concave mirror, or convex mirror.
There are two types of images that can be formed, namely real images and virtual images.
Real images are images that can actually be seen or captured by the screen or human eye.
This image is formed when the actual light rays from an object meet at one point in front of a mirror or lens after being reflected or diffracted by an object.
Examples are the shadows that appear on the screen when you shine an object onto the projector screen or the shadows that appear on paper when we direct sunlight onto it.
Meanwhile, virtual images are images that appear to exist but cannot actually be captured by the screen or human eye.
This image is formed when light rays appear to originate from a point behind a mirror or lens after being reflected or diffracted by an object.
An example is the image that appears when Moms look at themselves in the mirror.
Even though the shadow looks like a real image of yourself, it is actually just a reflection of light and cannot be touched.
So, what are the characteristics of the image in a plane mirror, concave mirror and convex mirror? Read more.
1. Flat Mirror
A flat mirror is a mirror with a flat and shiny surface, like a regular mirror used for decoration.
This is the nature of the image in a plane mirror:
The image in front of a plane mirror is similar to the real object. The image in front of a plane mirror is virtual or apparent. The nature of the image in front of a plane mirror is upright. The image in front of a plane mirror is the same size as the real object. The distance of the object to the mirror is the same as the distance of the image to the mirror .The right part of the object will become the left part of the object.
Also read: Characteristics and properties of glass through physics for children’s education
2. Concave Mirror
A concave mirror is a mirror whose reflecting surface is curved inwards, and the nature of the image depends on the position of the object.
The following are the characteristics of the image in a concave mirror:
If the object is close to a concave mirror, the image will be upright, false, and larger than the original object. If the object is not too close or far from the concave mirror, the image will be inverted, real, and larger than the original object. If the object is far from the concave mirror , the image will be inverted, real, and smaller than the original object.
A convex mirror is a mirror with a reflective area that curves outward, like a car rearview mirror.
2023-10-24 10:17:09
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