Concave Mirror Ray Diagrams

Concave mirrors (mirrors that curve inward) create different types of images depending on where you place the object. When an object is placed at different positions relative to the mirror's focal point (F) and center of curvature (C), the image changes dramatically.

When an object is placed far beyond the center of curvature (Case I), the image appears between C and F. This image is real, inverted $upside-down$, and smaller than the original object. This is similar to how telescopes form images of distant objects!

If you place the object exactly at the center of curvature (Case II), the image appears directly below the object. It remains real and inverted, but is the same size as the original object.

💡 Remember: Real images can be projected onto a screen, while virtual images cannot. An easy way to tell - real images form on the same side of the mirror as the object!

For objects positioned between C and F (Case III), the image appears beyond C. This image is still real and inverted, but is larger than the original object - this is why makeup mirrors are concave!

More Mirror Behaviors

When an object is placed inside the focal point of a concave mirror (Case IV), something interesting happens! The image appears on the opposite side of the mirror, is virtual, and appears upright and larger than the original. This is why concave mirrors are used for magnifying your face when applying makeup.

Convex mirrors (mirrors that curve outward) are simpler because they only produce one type of image regardless of object placement. The image always appears on the opposite side of the mirror, is virtual, upright, and smaller than the original object.

🚗 Next time you see a side-view mirror on a car with "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" printed on it, you're looking at a convex mirror in action! These mirrors give drivers a wider field of view but make objects appear smaller.

Convex mirrors are excellent for security and safety applications where a wide field of view is needed, like store security mirrors or the mirrors on school buses that help drivers see around blind spots.