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Fig. 2.1 shows an object, O, which is 5.0 cm in front of a plane mirror.

   

                                             Fig.2.1

2.1.1 Complete the two rays to locate the position of the image O and mark it I.           [2]

2.1.2 Apart from its position, state two characteristics of the image I. 

1 answer

To answer your questions:

2.1.1

To locate the image \( I \) of the object \( O \) in front of the plane mirror using two rays, follow these steps:

  1. Draw a ray from the object \( O \) that strikes the mirror at a right angle. This ray will reflect back along the same path, indicating that the image will be directly behind the mirror at the same distance as the object.

  2. Draw another ray from \( O \) at a slight angle that strikes the mirror, and reflect it according to the law of reflection (the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection). This ray, when extended behind the mirror, will also point to the image \( I \).

Since the object \( O \) is 5.0 cm in front of the mirror, the image \( I \) will be located 5.0 cm behind the mirror.

2.1.2

Two characteristics of the image \( I \) formed by a plane mirror are:

  1. Virtual Image: The image \( I \) is virtual, meaning it cannot be projected onto a screen. It appears to be behind the mirror.

  2. Upright: The image is upright, maintaining the same orientation as the object \( O\). The image appears to be the same size as the object.

These indicate that the image produced by a plane mirror is a direct reflection of the object with its characteristics preserved in terms of size and orientation, but it is not a real image that can be captured on a surface.