6A10.59 - Mirrors - Virtual Image

See paragraph one in the procedure section.
Code Number:
6A10.59
Demo Title:
Mirrors - Virtual Image
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Images in a mirror
Area of Study:
Optics
Equipment:
Mirror, String, Lasers, meter stick or meter tape.
Procedure:

Place an object so that it makes an image in a mirror.  Use ray diagrams or strings to show where the image in the mirror appears to be.  Relate this to the object mirror distance.

References:
  • Sanjoy Kumar Pal, Soumen Sarkar, Surajit Chakrabarti, "Experimental Determination of the Transverse Width and Position of the Virtual Images Produced by Thin Lenses and a Plane Mirror with Smartphone Photography", TPT, Vol. 62, #5, May 2024, p. 367.
  • Ana Rita Mota, Joao Lopes dos Santos, "Virtual Images: Going Through the Looking Glass", TPT, Vol. 55, #1, Jan. 2017, p. 52.
  • Mickey D. Kutzner and Samantha Snelling, "Measuring Magnification of Virtual Images Using Digital Cameras", TPT, Vol. 54, #8, Nov. 2016, p. 503.
  • Jay M. Pasachoff, "Addams Monster and Infinite Mirrors", TPT, Vol. 48, # 5, May 2010, p. 278.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Virtual Mirrors", TPT, Vol. 48, # 1, January 2010, p. 26.
  • Peter Mansell, "Where is the Reflection?", TPT, Vol. 45, # 2, Feb. 2007, p. 119.
  • David R. Lapp, "Determining Plane Mirror Image Distance from Eye Charts", TPT, Vol. 31, # 1, Jan. 1993, p. 59.
  • Govind S. Khandelwal and Wynford L. Harries, "The Mirror Equation", TPT, Vol. 28, # 5, May 1990, p. 299.
  • Francis T. Worrell, "Where's That Virtual Image?", TPT, Vol. 21, # 8, Nov. 1983, p. 524.
  • John W. Layman, "That Can't Be: A Virtual Comment", TPT, Vol. 17, # 4, Apr. 1979, p. 253.
  • David Singer, "The Location of Virtual Images in Plane and Curved Mirrors", TPT, Vol. 17, # 8, Nov. 1979, p. 534.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.