Study Astronomy Online at Swinburne University
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We can trace the image of a concave mirror by drawing 3 lines that originate from a point on the object and travel to the mirror, as shown on the right.
One line travels horizontal to the mirror and then through the focal point. The second line travels through the focal point and then horizontal away from the mirror.
The third is reflected off the mirror at the centre.
For simplicity we only use two lines to trace out the image.
Lets see what happens to the image formed by a concave mirror as the object gets closer to the mirror. Click to see the animation.
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I dont think so, because then the rays will intersect and the image will be real.
Please let me know if you know a case in which a virtual image is formed in front of the mirror.
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