O-LevelPhysicsLight5054/11 · Oct/Nov 2012 · Q221 Mark
An object O is placed in front of a plane mirror. Which diagram correctly represents the image I formed by the mirror?
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Aray diagram showing an upward arrow object O left of a vertical plane mirror. Two incident rays from O are shown: one horizontal to the mirror, reflecting horizontally away; another diagonally downwards to the mirror, reflecting diagonally upwards. Virtual extensions of reflected rays meet at an upward, laterally inverted arrow image I behind the mirror, equidistant to O. Incident and reflected rays have direction arrows.
Bray diagram showing an upward arrow object O left of a vertical plane mirror. Two rays from O pass through the mirror and converge at an upward, non-laterally inverted arrow image I behind the mirror, not equidistant to O. Rays are not shown reflecting.
Cray diagram showing an upward arrow object O left of a vertical plane mirror. Two incident rays from O are shown: one perpendicular to the mirror, reflecting back along itself; another diagonally downwards to the mirror, reflecting diagonally upwards. Virtual extensions of reflected rays meet at an upward, laterally inverted arrow image I behind the mirror, equidistant to O. Incident and reflected rays have direction arrows.
Dray diagram showing an upward arrow object O left of a vertical plane mirror. Two incident rays from O are shown: one horizontal to the mirror, reflecting horizontally away; another diagonally downwards to the mirror, reflecting diagonally upwards. Virtual extensions of reflected rays (dotted lines extending clearly from the mirror) meet at an upward, laterally inverted arrow image I behind the mirror, equidistant to O. Incident and reflected rays have clear direction arrows.
✓ Correct answer
A: ray diagram showing an upward arrow object O left of a vertical plane mirror. Two incident rays from O are shown: one horizontal to the mirror, reflecting horizontally away; another diagonally downwards to the mirror, reflecting diagonally upwards. Virtual extensions of reflected rays meet at an upward, laterally inverted arrow image I behind the mirror, equidistant to O. Incident and reflected rays have direction arrows.
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