Concave Mirrors: Light Reflection and Image Formation
The Concave Mirror Image Formation Video Tutorial This video tutorial lesson explains what an image is and how a concave mirror produces an image. Real images and virtual images are discussed and compared to each other. The characteristics of concave mirror images are described.
The video lesson answers the following questions:
- How is an image formed by a concave mirror?
- What are the various characteristics of images formed by a concave mirror?
Video
You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:
Additional and Related Learning Tools
Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Mirrors
The Physics Interactives is our simulation section. This section provides a playful way to learn. Alter a variable, experiment with a system, and interact with the simulation in order to find out how nature works. Our Optics Bench simulation allows students to explore the reflection of light by curved mirrors and the formation of images. The object location and height and the mirror focal length can be easily altered.
Physics Interactives: Concave Mirrors Image Formation
This simulation is like a virtual light box for exploring the reflection of light off concave mirrors and the manner in which such reflection leads to the formation of an image of a complex object. It's pretty awesome!
Multimedia Physics Studios - Reflection and Mirrors Animations
This page consists of links to a variety of animations similar to those shown in the video. Each is accompanied by a written explanation.
Tutorial: Reflection and the Ray Model of Light, Lesson 3
When you need to quickly review a topic and/or freshen up on a concept, the Tutorial section of our website is your go-to place. The Reflection of Light and Image Formation page makes a good complement to this video. The discussion is specific to concave mirrors.
Reflection of Light and Image Formation
Teacher Resources
Physics Interactives: Concave Mirrors Image Formation
This simulation provides students with a virtual light box for exploring the reflection of light off concave mirrors and the manner in which such reflection leads to the formation of an image of a complex object. Students tap on various points upon an object. A ray diagram is quickly constructed and the location of the image of that point is marked by a pixel on the screen. The process can be repeated for a variety of points or the student can select to have the simulation draw all the rays in automated fashion. Awesome sim! Comes with a classroom-ready activity sheet.
Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Mirrors
This simulation provides a playful way to learn. Alter a variable, experiment with a system, and interact with the simulation in order to find out how nature works. Our Optics Bench simulation allows students to explore the reflection of light by curved mirrors and the formation of images. The object location and height and the mirror focal length can be easily altered. The simulation comes with an activity sheet.
Curriculum Corner, Reflection and Mirrors
Our Curriculum Corner includes in excess of 200 Think Sheets on discrete topics. Each Think Sheet takes a developmental approach to a topic. The following two Think Sheets provide support for this video.
Curved Mirrors and the Law of Reflection
Spherical Mirrors
Multimedia Physics Studios - Reflection and Mirrors Animations
There are several animations in our Mutlimedia Physics Studios that are similar to those shown in the video. Each animation is accompanied by a written explanation. They may be good additions to a Lesson Plan.
Tutorial on Reflection and the Ray Model of Light, Lesson 3
When you need to quickly review a topic and/or freshen up on a concept, The Tutorial section of our website is your go-to place. Many teachers include these as links for students on their course management sites. The page below on curved mirrors was the basis for this video.
Reflection of Light and Image Formation
Teacher Toolkits: Image Formation by Curved Mirrors
We love our Teacher Toolkits. We hope you do as well. They include a collection of links to vetted resources throughout the web that are standards-based and multi-media driven.
Lesson Notes
Download (opens in a new tab) or view below
Slides
Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.