 Provides the numerical information about

image distance and object size.

 Can be written as:
1=1+1
f p q
 Where:
 f = focal length or distance from the mirror
and the focal point
 p = distance of the object from the mirror
 q = distance of the image from the mirror
 Mirror equation applies to both concave and
convex mirrors.
 However, for all location of objects in front of
the convex mirror, the image always appears
as if it is located behind the mirror. It is
therefore considered that the value of image
distance, q is negative. In the same manner,
the focus, F in a convex mirror is located on
the other side of the mirror (behind the
mirror), thus, the focal length, f is also
negative.
 Used to determine the image height.
 It can be written as:
h’ = -q
h p
 Where:
 h’ = height of the image
 h = height of the object

 p = distance of the object from the mirror

 q = distance of the image from the mirror
Quantity Positive (+) Negative (--)

Distance of the Object is in front of Object is behind

object (p) the mirror the mirror
Distance of the If the image is a If the image is
image (q) real image and virtual and located
located in front of behind of mirror.
the mirror.
Focal length (f) Mirror is concave. Mirror is convex.

Magnification or Image is upright Image is inverted

height of the image
(h)
1. A 5.00 cm tall light bulb is placed at a distance
of 45.0 cm from a concave mirror having a focal
length of 10.5 cm. determine the image distance
and the image size.
2. What is the focal length of a convex mirror that
produces an image that appears 15.0 cm behind
the mirror when the object is 27.5 cm from the
mirror?
3. A magnified, inverted image is located a
distance of 30.0 cm from a concave mirror with
a focal length of 15.0 cm. What is the object
distance?
1. What is the image distance and image height
if a 7.00-cm tall object is placed 30.0 cm from
a concave mirror having a focal length of 10.0
cm?
2. An object is placed 33.7 cm from the convex
mirror with a focal length of 10.7 cm.
Determine the image distance.
3. A 7.0-cm tall light bulb is placed a distance
of 37.5 cm from a convex mirror having a
focal length of -12.5 cm. Determine the
image distance and the image size.