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Seeing Images in a Convex Mirrors
We see images in a convex mirror much the
same way we see images in a concave mirror. Now we will look at
the reflection of light in a convex mirror and how it produces real and
virtual images depending on the objects location. Just as with the
page on concave mirrors, we will look at how convex mirrors reflect the
rays of light and produce the images we see.
 The
diagram at the right illustrates a convex mirror. A convex mirror
is described as a part of a sphere which had been sliced away. If
the outside of the sphere is silvered
(shown here in blue) such that it can reflect light, then the mirror is
understood to be convex. The center of that initial sphere, before
it was sliced, is known as the center of curvature (C) and the line
which passes from the mirror's surface through the sphere's center is
known as the principal axis. The mirror has a focal point (F)
which is located along the principal axis, halfway between the mirror's
surface and the center of curvature (C). Note that the center of
curvature and the focal point are located on the side of the mirror
opposed to the object - behind the mirror. Because the focal point
is located behind the convex mirror, such a mirror is said to have a
negative focal length value.
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