Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Paranaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Science 10 Quarter 2 Week 5
Image Formation in Curved Mirrors

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

At the end of this module, you will be able to:
Predict the qualitative characteristics (orientation, type, and magnification) of images
formed by plane and curved Mirrors and lenses. (10FE-IIg-50)

Objective
Apply ray diagramming technique in describing images formed by mirrors.

INTRODUCTION
In the previous lesson you learned about reflection and law of reflection. You understand
that reflection is the bouncing of light rays as it hits a reflecting surface. You also learned that there
are two types of reflection: Regular/Specular reflection is defined as light reflected from a smooth
surface at a definite angle and it produces a clear image. Diffused reflection is produced by rough
surfaces that tend to reflect light in all directions and it produces a blurred image. You also learned
about the difference between a concave and a convex mirror that is shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Concave Mirror Figure 2. Convex Mirror

Source: https://keydifferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/convex-mirror.jpg

A concave mirror is a converging mirror, due to the fact that when parallel incident rays
fall on the surface of the mirror, the rays will reflect and meet at a particular point, i.e. focal point.
Its shape is identical to a spoon. The reflecting surface of a concave mirror bent inward to focus, i.e.
away from the light source. When the light is bounced by the curve up to a particular area, they form
an image.
A convex mirror, on the other hand, is a diverging mirror because as the incident ray
emerges from the same source (point), it will reflect off and move in a different direction.
Consequently, the light rays will not intersect on the object side of the mirror and form the virtual
image of the real object.
In this module, you will learn how images are formed in curved (spherical) mirrors.
Understanding this topic will be done through hands-on activities. As you go through this module,
you will apply the concepts you learned from law of reflection so that you can qualitatively describe
and explain how images are formed in a concave and in a convex mirror.

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 Let’s Recall

Directions: Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on a
separate paper.
1. What kind of mirror is on the passenger side of most cars?
A. concave mirror B. convex mirror C. curved mirror D. plane mirror
2. What type of mirror is shown in figure 3?
A. Concave Mirror C. Flat Mirror
B. Convex Mirror D. Plane Mirror
3. What type of image is produced in a convex mirror? Figure 3
A. inverted C. virtual
B. real D. virtual or real
4. What type of mirror is the same as the inside of a spoon?
A. concave mirror B. convex mirror C. plane mirror D. none of the above
5. Which of the following is a converging mirror?
A. concave mirror B. convex mirror C. flat mirror D. plane mirror

Let’s Understand

To determine the images formed in curved mirrors, a ray diagram

is necessary. A ray diagram is a diagram that traces the path that light
takes in order for a person to view a point on the image of an object.
These are the following mirror terminologies that you should know
when you do ray diagramming
1. Vertex (V) is the middle portion of the mirror.
2. Center of curvature (C) is the center of the sphere of which the
curved mirror is a part.
3. Radius of curvature (r) is the distance of the center of curvature
from the vertex.
4. Principal axis (P) is the line drawn passing through the Figure 4. Important points
vertex and the center of curvature. and axis in a concave mirror
5. Secondary axis (S) is a line drawn through the center of
curvature to any part in the mirror.
6. Aperture (A) is the opening of the mirror.
7. Focus (F) is the point where the reflected rays meet.
8. Focal length (f) is the distance between the focus and the vertex.

Remember This:
For spherical mirrors with small openings, the focal length is one-half the radius of curvature.

Image formation in a Concave Mirror

To determine the image formed in a concave mirror, at least
two of the following rays from point A on the object must be drawn
as seen in figure 5.
Ray 1 is an incident ray parallel to the principal axis and is
reflected through the principal focus.
Ray 2 is a ray traveling along a secondary axis and passes
through the center of curvature which is reflected back
along itself.
Ray 3 is a ray that passes through the focus and is reflected Figure 5. Ray Diagram for
parallel to the principal axis. a Concave Mirror

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Image Formation in a Convex Mirror
To describe the image formed by convex mirrors,
at least two of the following rays from point A on the
object must be drawn as shown in figure 6.
Ray 1 a ray travelling parallel to the principal axis virtually
passes from the virtual focal point after reflection by
the mirror.
Ray 2 a ray that aims at the virtual focal point as it goes
towards the mirror will be reflected back along a path
parallel to the principal axis.
Ray 3 a ray that aims at the virtual center of curvature of the Figure 6. Ray Diagram for
mirror is reflected back along its own path. a Convex Mirror

Table 1 shows the summary of the kind of images formed in a concave mirror at different
positions of the object.

Table 1. Images Formed in a Concave Mirror

(Source: https://www.slideshare.net/dionesioable/module-3-the-nature-and-properties-of-light)
Object Location Diagram Characteristics of
Image
1. Object is located The image is
beyond the smaller, inverted,
center of curvature A ray 1 real and located
object ray 2 between the center
of curvature and the
P
C • focus.

image

2. Object is at the The image is of the

center of same size, inverted,
curvature ray 1 real and located at
A
object ray 3 the center of
P curvature.
image C F

3. Object is between The image is larger,

the center of ray 2 inverted, real and
curvature & the ray 1 located beyond the
principal focus A center of curvature.
object
P
C F
image

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 4. Object at principal The image is at
focus ray 2 infinity – no image
A ray 1 is observed.
object
P
C F

5. Object is between The image is larger,

principal focus and erect, virtual and
the mirror ray 2
A located behind the
ray 1 mirror.
P
C F object image

Table 2 displays the summary of the kind of image formed in a convex mirror. The kind
of image produced in this type of mirror is always the same regardless of the object’s position.

Table 2. Images Formed in a Convex Mirror

(Source:https://www.slideshare.net/dionesioable/module-3-the-nature-and-properties-of-light)
Object Location Diagram Characteristics of
Image
Location – seems to
image be at the back of the
Mirror
Objet is located
away from the Orientation –
reflecting surface upright/erect

Size - reduced /
smaller

Type - Virtual

Remember This:
In a convex mirror, the image is always smaller than the object, erect and located
behind the mirror.

Let’s Apply

For the following mirrors and corresponding object positions, construct ray
diagrams. Then practice the LOST art of image description. Identify the Location of the
image, Orientation (upright or inverted) of the image, the relative Size of the image (larger
or smaller than object), and the Type of image (real or virtual). Copy and answer on a
short bond paper.

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 1. 2.

Description of Image: Description of Image:

Location: _____________ Location: _____________
O: Upright or Inverted O: Upright or Inverted
S: Magnified, Reduced, Same S: Magnified, Reduced, Same
T: Real or Virtual T: Real or Virtual

3. 4.

Description of Image: Description of Image:

Location: _____________ Location: _____________
O: Upright or Inverted O: Upright or Inverted
S: Magnified, Reduced, Same S: Magnified, Reduced, Same
T: Real or Virtual T: Real or Virtual

5. 6.

Description of Image: Description of Image:

Location: _____________ Location: _____________
O: Upright or Inverted O: Upright or Inverted
S: Magnified, Reduced, Same S: Magnified, Reduced, Same
T: Real or Virtual T: Real or Virtual

Let’s Analyze
Directions: Figure 7 shows a spherical surface that is silvered on both sides. Thus, the surface serves
as double-sided mirror, with one of the sides being the concave and one being the convex side. The
principal axis, focal point, and center of curvature are shown. The region on both sides of the mirror
is divided into eight sections (labeled H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O). Four objects (labeled 1, 2, 3, and
4) are shown at various locations about the double-sided mirror. Use the diagram to answer the
questions #1-5. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

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 Figure 7

1. In what section of the figure will the image of object 1 be located?

H I J K L M N
2. In what section of the figure will the image of object 2 be located?
H I J K L M N
3. In what section of the figure will the image of object 3 be located?
H I J K L M N
4. Where would be the object located if the image is formed at section M?
H I J K L M N
5. Where would be the location of the object, if its image is located at section L?
H I J K L M N

Let’s Try
Directions: Read each question. Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following best describes the image formed by a convex mirror?
A. real, inverted and reduced C. virtual, upright and the reduced
B. virtual, inverted and enlarged D. real, upright and the same size as object

2. Which of the following best describes the image formed by a concave mirror when the
object is beyond the center of curvature (C) of the mirror?
A. virtual, erect and enlarged C. real, inverted and reduced
B. virtual, upright and reduced D. real, inverted and enlarged

3. An object is placed between the focus F and the vertex V of a concave mirror. Which
statement best describes the characteristic of the image formed?
A. The image is virtual. C. The image is reduced in size.
B. The image is inverted. D. The image is formed beyond C.

4. Identify the labelled parts of a concave mirror that is shown in figure 8?

A. K = centre of curvature, L = vertex, M= focus
B. K = focus, L = principal axis, M = focal length
C. K = radius of curvature, L = focus, M = principal
D. K = center of curvature, L = focal length, M= vertex

5. Which statement is TRUE about concave mirrors?

A. They always produce real images. Figure 8
B. They always produce virtual images.

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 C. They always produce magnified images.
D. They can concentrate the sun's rays to produce intense heat at a spot.

6. Which statements is TRUE about convex mirrors?

A. They always produce real images.
B. They always produce virtual images.
C. They always produce magnified images.
D. They can concentrate the sun's rays to produce intense heat at a spot.

7.Which best describe the image formed by a concave mirror when the object is located
somewhere between the focal point (F) and the center of curvature (C) of the mirror?
A. real, inverted and enlarged C. virtual, upright and enlarged
B. real, inverted and reduced D. virtual, upright and reduced

8.What would be the characteristic of an image formed in a convex mirror?

A. enlarged B. real C. virtual D. virtual or real

9. What does F represent in a ray diagram?

A. center of curvature B. focal length C. focal point D. reflection

10. A student using a concave mirror as shown in figure 9 saw an inverted image, the
same size and at the same
position as the object. Which statement is TRUE?
A. The object is at the center of curvature of the
mirror.
B. The object is at the focus of the mirror.
C. Only rays parallel to the principal axis can form a
real image.
D. The object is nearer to the pole of the mirror than it
is to the focal point Figure 9

Let’s Create

Goal: Compare and contrast concave and convex mirror using a thinking map.

Role: Make a graphic organizer.

Product Performance:
Compare and contrast ideas with this graphic organizer. The ovals are the main
ideas, the squares are the characteristics that they share, and the circles are characteristics unique to
each main idea.

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Standards:

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER RUBRIC

Directions: Using the following criteria, choose the appropriate number from the following scale
that reflects your assessment of the student’s work.

1 = Weak 2 = Moderately Weak 3 = Average 4 = Moderately Strong 5 = Strong

1. The graphic organizer has an appropriate title and labels.

2. The graphic organizer’s lines, boxes, and text are neat and legible.
3. The information in the graphic organizer is accurate.
4. The spelling, grammar, and punctuation of the text on the graphic organizer are accurate.
5. The graphic organizer presents the information in a manner that is easy to follow.
6. The relationships presented in the graphic organizer are correct and clear.
7. The form in which the graphic organizer portrays the information is appropriate to the
relationships being represented.
8. The graphic organizer demonstrates an understanding of the topic, its relationships & related
concepts.
9. The graphic organizer fulfills all the requirements of the assignment.
10. Overall, the graphic organizer represents the student’s full potential.