Experiment 2

Plane and Spherical

Mirrors

Name FERINO, Mark Solomon C.

Course/Year SHS - 12 Student No: 20181377288

Subject/Section PHY 02- IS 2177 Group No. Seat No.

Date of Performance
Date of Submission

Grading Rubrics SCORE

Analysis (30 points)
Guide Questions (20 points)
Application (10 points)

Conclusion (40 points)

TOTAL

Instructor

- 12 - Physics Laboratory Part 4

 EXPERIMENT NO. 2 PLANE AND SPHERICAL MIRRORS

INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES

Light has a dual nature. It may be a wave or a particle. If light behaves like a 1. Determine the number of
wave, then it should have properties like reflection, refraction, interference and image formed when
diffraction. If light behaves like a particle, then it should exhibit some properties a plane mirrors are placed
particle may have like momentum and the like. In this experiment, light shall be at a certain angle.
treated as waves and the property of reflection shall be studied using a plane and
spherical mirror. 2. To be able to determine
and describe the image
Reflection is the bouncing of waves when it hits a barrier. In the case of light, it formed using a plane
may be reflected uniformly or disperse. In uniform reflection, the normal lines to and spherical mirrors.
the reflecting surface are parallel while in disperse or irregular reflection, the
reflecting surface is not uniform in terms of the normal lines’ orientation. In both 3. To determine and
types of reflection though, the laws of reflection still hold true. The laws of compute the focal length
reflection states that: a) the incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal line lie of spherical mirror.
on the same plane and that b) the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection.

THEORY MATERIALS

A plane mirror produces an erect image that has the same size as the object. The 2 pcs plane mirrors
image’s distance is the same as the object but formed behind the mirror. A virtual 1 pc pin
image cannot be projected on a screen. See figure 1. 2 pcs concave mirrors
1 pc candle
1 pc ray table
p q
1 pc three-surfaced
mirror
1 pc meterstick
1 pc optics table with
ho hi
light source

Figure 1. Image formation from a plane mirror.

Referring to figure 1, an object whose size is ho and has a distance of p from the
plane mirror cast an erect image of height hi which has the same magnitude as
ho . The distance of the image q has the same magnitude as the object p but formed
behind the mirror. Thus p = - q and ho = hi .
EQUIPMENT CARE
When two plane mirrors are set with an angle as in figure 2, a series of images
will be formed from the reflection of the other images. The number of images I • Be extra careful in
that will be formed depends on the angle and is given by equation 1. handling the plane
and spherical mirrors.

I = 360 −1 (eqn. 1)

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 NOTES:

__________________
__________________
θ __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 2. A sample figure of number of images formed when an object
is placed between two plane mirrors at a certain angle θ. __________________
__________________
__________________
In figure 2 is a sample of image formed when two plane mirrors are set at a __________________
certain angle. The solid dot represents the object and the light dots represent __________________
the images formed. __________________
__________________
Another type of mirror is a spherical mirror. In general, spherical mirrors may
be concave or convex as shown in figure 3.
__________________
__________________
__________________
f f __________________
__________________
__________________
C F F C __________________
• • • • __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
R R __________________
Concave mirror Convex mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 3. A concave and convex mirror with the reflected rays passing __________________
through the focus. __________________
__________________
Figure 3 shows that the center C and the focus F are in front of the concave mirror __________________
while these points are behind the convex mirror. By convention, all distances in __________________
front of the mirror are positive while behind the mirror are negative. Thus, the focal __________________
length f which is the distance from the mirror to the focal point; __________________
and the radius R which is the distance from the center to the mirror are positive __________________
for concave mirror and negative for convex mirror. The focal length f is half of __________________
the radius R as expressed by equation 2. __________________
__________________
__________________
f= R (eqn. 2) __________________
2
__________________
The image formed by spherical mirrors depend on the object distance p and the __________________
__________________
focal length f of the mirror and is known as the mirror equation as expressed
__________________
by equation 3.

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 1 1 1 NOTES:
= + (eqn. 3)
f p q __________________
__________________
Solving for the image distance yields __________________
__________________
p f __________________
q=p −f __________________
__________________
By convention, if the computed image distance q is positive, the image is real __________________
and is formed in front of the spherical mirror. The image is virtual when q is __________________
__________________
negative and is formed behind the spherical mirror. It should be pointed out
that the focal length f and radius R are positive for concave and negative for __________________
__________________
convex mirrors respectively.
__________________
__________________
The magnification m of the image is defined as the ratio of the image size hi
__________________
to the object size ho and tells how big is the image formed compare to the __________________
object as shown is equation 4. __________________
__________________
hi __________________
m= (eqn. 4)
h __________________
o
__________________
The magnification may also be computed as the ratio of the image distance q __________________
to the object distance p as described in equation 5. The negative sign is __________________
incorporated for the convention that a positive magnification + m shall mean __________________
the image is upright and a negative magnification − m shall mean the image __________________
is inverted. __________________
__________________
__________________
m=−q (eqn. 5)
p __________________
__________________
If the magnifications absolute value is greater than 1, the image is enlarged __________________
meaning greater than the object size. For magnification less than 1, the __________________
image is diminished in size. For magnification equal to one, the image then __________________
has the same size as the object. __________________
__________________
Another way to determine the image position and its orientation is by using __________________
the ray diagram method. The ray diagram method may be done by doing the __________________
following steps:
__________________
1. An incident ray of light parallel to the principal axis shall be reflected __________________
thru the focal point F . __________________
2. An incident ray of light passing thru the focal point F shall be __________________
reflected as parallel ray to the principal axis. __________________
3. An incident ray of light passing the center C shall be reflected also __________________
thru the center C . __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

- 15 - Physics Laboratory Part 4

Figure 4 is an example of the image formation using the ray diagram method. NOTES:

__________________
__________________
p __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
ho __________________
C F
__________________
• • hi __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
q
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 4. Determination of image position and orientation using the Ray
__________________
Diagram Method.
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

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PROCEDURE

I. Laws of Reflection NOTES:

1. Mount the light source near the ray table on the optics bench. __________________
__________________
2. With the DEGREE SCALE facing up on the ray table, position the light
source until only one light ray shines perpendicular across the middle
__________________
of the top of the ray table. __________________
__________________
3. Place the three-surface mirror on the ray table with the plane surface __________________
facing the light source. __________________
__________________
4. Rotate the ray table a few degrees and measure the angle of the __________________
incident ray and the reflected ray from the line normal to the plane __________________
mirror. See figure 5. __________________
__________________
5. Perform several trials varying the angle of incidence.
__________________
II. Number of Images Formed from Two Plane Mirrors __________________
__________________
1. Set two plane mirrors facing each other at a certain angle as in figure 2. __________________
__________________
2. Place a small object (a push pin) between the plane mirrors and count __________________
the number of images observed. Compute the image formed using __________________
equation 1. __________________
__________________
3. Repeat the same procedure using different angles.
__________________
III. Determination of Focal Length and Radius. __________________
__________________
1. Using the set-up in the Laws of Reflection, adjust the slit mask of the __________________
light source until five light light rays emanate from the Light Source __________________
across the top of the Ray table. Adjust the table until the center light __________________
ray shines along the normal line of the reflecting plane mirror. __________________
__________________
2. Turn the three-surface mirror so that the convex surface faces the light __________________
source and the center light ray shines on the center of the curved __________________
surface. See figure 6.
__________________
3. Trace the outline of the convex mirror, the incident rays, and the
__________________
reflected rays, after which, extend the reflected rays back behind the __________________
convex mirror’s surface. __________________
__________________
4. Determine the intersection of the reflected rays. Measure the distance __________________
from the point of convergence of the reflected rays to the convex __________________
mirror and record it as the focal length f of the convex mirror. __________________
Determine the experimental radius. __________________
__________________
5. Using a drawing compass, draw a circle that actually fits the convex __________________
mirror and then determine the actual radius. __________________
__________________
6. Repeat procedures 1 to 5 using the concave surface of the three- __________________
surface mirror. See figure 7.
__________________
__________________
- 17 - Physics Laboratory Part 4
 NOTES:

__________________
__________________
__________________
SOURC __________________
Incident Ray __________________
E
i
__________________
__________________
LIGHT

__________________
__________________
Normal to the Surface __________________
__________________
Figure 5. A light source emitting an incident ray of light on a __________________
plane mirror.
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Incident Rays __________________
LIGHT SOURCE

__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 6. A light source emitting parallel rays of light on a __________________
convex mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Incident Rays __________________
LIGHT SOURCE

__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 7. A light source emitting parallel rays of light on a
__________________
convex mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
-18- Physics Laboratory Part 4
IV. Determination of Focal length with Varying Object and Image
Distance
NOTES:
1. Object distance greater than the image distance. Set up the
apparatus in a way that a projection screen is place between the light
__________________
source and a movable concave mirror like in figure 8. Adjust the movable
concave mirror’s position until a clear image of the light is formed on the __________________
screen. Measure the distance from the light source to the mirror (object __________________
distance) and the distance from the screen to the mirror (image distance) __________________
Compute the focal length of the concave mirror using equation 3. __________________
__________________
2. Repeat the procedure several times and in each case increase the __________________
distance between the screen and the light source. __________________
__________________
3. Image distance greater than the object distance . Repeat procedure __________________
1 and 2 but this time, the light source is between the screen and the
__________________
concave mirror as in figure 9.
__________________
4. Object distance equal to image distance. Place the screen and the __________________
light source side by side as in figure 10.. Adjust the distance of the __________________
movable concave mirror until a sharp image is formed on the screen. __________________
Compute the focal length of the concave mirror using equation. Perform __________________
several trials. Will the result change? __________________
__________________
__________________
p __________________
q __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
light source __________________
screen concave mirror
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 8. Object distance greater than image distance. __________________
__________________
q __________________
__________________
p __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
light source
screen concave mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 9. Image distance greater than object distance.
-19- Physics Laboratory Part 4
 NOTES:

__________________
__________________
p=q __________________
__________________
__________________
light source and screen __________________
__________________
concave mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Figure 10. Object distance equal to image distance. __________________
__________________
5. Using a distant light source, project its image on the screen. Measure __________________
the distance from the screen to the concave mirror and record the __________________
value as the actual focal length of the concave mirror. Use this value in __________________
determining the percentage of difference. __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
SET UP __________________
__________________
__________________
Ray table and 3-surfaced __________________
mirror
__________________
__________________
__________________
Light source __________________
__________________
__________________
Concave __________________
mirror __________________
__________________
__________________
meterstick
__________________
screen __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
-20- Physics Laboratory Part 4
GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. In determining the number of images formed between two plane mirrors placed at an angle
θ, what happens when the angle is greater than 180? What are the limitations of the angle θ
then?
There will be no image formed when the mirror angle is greater than 180o. To further
explain this, we can use a formula where x is the number of angles. When the number of angle is
odd the formula will be n=360/x, (Object is kept asymmetrically) and if the number of angle is
even, the formula will be n=360/x - 1, (Object is kept symmetrically). That is why when you take
230o as our x and number of angle and use the n=360/x – 1 formula. The answer will be 0.565,
which is less that 1 and near 0, meaning there is no image when 2 mirrors are places 230o. From
this explanation and using the formula, we can conclude that the limitation of the angle image is
less than 180.

2. What is a virtual object? Give an example of a case wherein an object is deemed virtual.

Virtual object is nothing but an image formed by either reflection or reflection, which acts
as an object for another reflection or refraction, does not exist in the real world. To further explain
this, if light rays appear to diverge from a point, then object is virtual and if the light rays actually
originate and diverge from a point, then the object is real. Take this as an example, when you are
trying a running shoe at a mall and look at the shoes in a mirror that is 10ft away, your feet
appear to be more than 10ft away from you. You see your shoes past the mirror, but there are no
rays of light there. So, the image is being created by the mirror as if there where someone beyond
the mirror, but it is just the reflection of the light. As a result, because there actually is nothing
where your brain perceives the image to be. It is called a virtual image.

- 21 - Physics Laboratory Part 4

 EXPERIMENT 2: PLANE AND SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Name Group No.

Program/Year Seat No.
Subject/Section Date

DATA AND RESULTS

I. Laws of reflection

TABLE 1. Laws of Reflection

TRIAL ANGLE OF INCIDENCE ANGLE OF REFLECTION

1 10° 10°

2 20° 20°

3 30° 30°

4 40° 40°

II. Number of Images Formed From Two Plane Mirrors

TABLE 2. Number of Images

Angle Between Number of Images Formed, I

TRIAL
Plane Mirrors, θ
Observed Calculated

1 10 27 35

2 15 23 23

3 30 11 11

4 45 7 7

5 60 5 5

6 75 4 4

7 90 3 3

8 120 2 2

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 EXPERIMENT 2: PLANE AND SPHERICAL MIRRORS

Name Group No.

Program/Year Seat No.
Subject/Section Date

DATA AND RESULTS

III. Determination of Focal Length and Radius.

TABLE 3. Determination of Focal Length and Radius

Type of Mirror Convex Concave

Focal length, f 5.7 cm 5.7 cm

Experimental radius of curvature, Rexp erimental 11.4 cm 11.4 cm

Actual radius of curvature, Ractual 11.75 cm 11.2 cm

Percentage of Error 2.98 % 4.91 %

IV. Determination of Focal length with Varying Object and Image Distance.

TABLE 4. Object Distance Greater than Image Distance

Trial Object Distance Image Distance Computed Focal Length

1 29.5 cm 13 cm 9.0235 cm

2 29 cm 15 cm 9.886 cm

3 26.5 cm 16 cm 9.976 cm

4 24 cm 17 cm 9.95 cm
9.709 cm
Average focal length
10.0 cm
Actual focal length
2.952 %
Percentage of Difference

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 ANALYSIS
1. Can a convex mirror produce real images? If yes, describe how. If
no, why not?
A convex mirror cannot produce real images. This is because a
convex mirror is a diverging optical element, which always form virtual
images or an image that appear to be behind the mirror. For light rays
parallel to principal axis are reflected from the mirror and they do not meet.
They typically appear to be coming from a point on the other side but in
reality they do not meet at a point.

2. Do concave mirrors produce real images only? If no, describe a case

wherein a concave mirror produces a virtual image.
Concave mirrors do not produce a real image, for concave mirrors also
produce virtual image like convex mirrors. When the objects position is in
front of the focal point a virtual image in upright position forms.
3. Is a virtual object possible for a single mirror system? Why or why
not?
Virtual object is possible for a single mirror system because as long the
reflected rays diverge from a point on the object then anything is possible
for virtual object at any mirror system.

CONCLUSION
To sum it all up mirrors are an optical tool that is usually made of clear glass
that has been coated on one side with a thin film of metal, such as silver or
aluminum. Mirrors works by gathering the light to form images. There are two
types of mirror; the plane mirror having a flat reflecting surface and the spherical
mirror which has a curved reflecting surface. In the experiment, one can observe
that for plane mirrors the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The
number of images formed is expressed by the equation, Where when the number of
angle is odd the formula will be n=360/x, (Object is kept asymmetrically) and if the
number of angle is even, the formula will be n=360/x - 1, (Object is kept
symmetrically, where n is the number of image formed at a certain angle (x). As
the angle increases, the number of images formed decreases. Therefore, they are
inversely proportional with each other. These reflected rays intersect at a certain
point called the focal point. The focal length is the distance between the mirror and
the focal point. It is equal to the one half of the radius of the curvature of the
mirror. The focal length of the mirror also determines how image will be projected
or reflected by the mirror depending on the distance from where the object is
located.
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24 - Physics Laboratory Part 4