Quiz & Worksheet - Ray Tracing for Mirrors | Study.com - Free Printable

Let's go through each question in the worksheet and solve them step by step with explanations.

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1. Which type of mirror is depicted in the diagram?

Diagram Description:
- The mirror has a curved reflecting surface that bulges inward (toward the center).
- It shows:
- Principal axis
- Focal point (f)
- Radius of curvature (C)

The reflecting surface is on the inner side of the curve, meaning it's curved inward, like a bowl.

✔ This is a concave mirror.

> Answer: Concave

🔹 Explanation:
- A concave mirror has a reflective surface that curves inward (like the inside of a spoon).
- A convex mirror curves outward (like the back of a spoon).
- Here, the focal point and center of curvature are in front of the mirror, which only happens with concave mirrors.
- So, the correct answer is Concave.

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2. Which color is the third ray in the ray diagram?

Ray Diagram Analysis:
In ray tracing for concave mirrors, we typically use three standard rays to locate the image:

1. Parallel ray: A ray parallel to the principal axis reflects through the focal point.
2. Focal ray: A ray passing through the focal point reflects parallel to the principal axis.
3. Central ray: A ray passing through the center of curvature (C) reflects back along the same path (angle of incidence = angle of reflection).

Now let’s analyze the colors:

- Red arrow: Starts from top of object, goes parallel → reflects through focal point → this is the first ray.
- Green arrow: Goes toward the center of curvature (C) → reflects back on itself → this is the third ray.
- Blue arrow: Goes through focal point → reflects parallel → this is the second ray.
- Black arrow: Not a real ray; it's just the object or image line.

✔ So, the third ray is the one going through the center of curvature and reflecting back — that’s the green arrow.

> Answer: Green arrow

🔹 Explanation:
The third standard ray passes through the center of curvature (C), and since the radius is perpendicular to the tangent at the surface, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, so it bounces straight back. That’s the green ray.

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3. What type of image does this mirror make based on the location of the object?

Diagram Description:
- Object is placed beyond the center of curvature (C).
- Rays converge in front of the mirror, forming an image between C and f.
- The image is formed where all rays intersect on the same side as the object.
- The image is inverted (upside down) and smaller than the object.
- The rays actually converge, so it's a real image.

> ✔ Real and inverted

🔹 Explanation:
- When an object is placed beyond C in a concave mirror:
- The image is real (formed by actual convergence of light rays),
- Inverted,
- And diminished (smaller than object).
- The image is not virtual (virtual images form behind the mirror and are upright).
- "Superimposed" doesn't apply here — that would mean overlapping with the object, which isn't the case.
- "Real and virtual" is incorrect because the image can't be both.

> Answer: real and inverted

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Concave
2. Green arrow
3. real and inverted

Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or ray-tracing rules summarized!