NOTE
P H Y S I C S
OPTICS
IMAGE FORMATION IN PLANE MIRRORS
What you already know What you will learn
• Geometrical optics • Velocity of object and image
• Laws of reflection • Number of images
• Reflection on a plane mirror
H M1
Show that, for an observer, to see his full image, the minimum size of E
the plane mirror required is half of his height.
F M2
Solution BOARDS
P
Let us consider an observer, where the points H H’
H, E, and F denote the head, eye, and foot of M1
the observer, respectively. We know that the
plane mirror is the perpendicular bisector of a O
line joining the point object and point image. H0 E E’ H0
Therefore, if we consider that the observer
is standing x distance from the plane mirror
PQ, then the image of the object will also be x M2
F Q F’
distance away from the plane mirror, and since
here the object is real, the image will be virtual. x x
Consider that H’, E’, and F’ denote the image of head, eye, and foot of the observer respectively,
and H0 be the height of the object, as well as the image. Now, if we draw two extreme rays, one
from head (H’) and the other from foot(F’) and extend those to the eye (E) of the observer, then
assume that the ray cuts the plane mirror PQ at M1 and M2, respectively.
M1M2 = Minimum required length of the plane mirror
Now △EM1M2 and △EH’F’ are similar triangles and according to the similarity property of the triangle,
we know that the ratio of the sides of the triangles is equal to the ratio of their height.
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02
M1 M2 EO
=
H ' F ' EE '
EO
⇒ M1 M2 = × H ' F '
EE '
x
⇒ M1 M2 = × H0
2x
H0
⇒ M1 M2 =
2
Hence, the minimum size of the plane mirror required is half of the height of an observer.
MAIN
Velocity of Object and Image
Case - 1 (Plane mirror is fixed but object is shifted)
Consider a plane mirror fixed at any position in space and the initial
position of the object and image be O and I, respectively. O O’ I’ I
If the object is shifted towards the mirror by 1 cm, obeying the rule “a
plane mirror is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the point 1 cm 1 cm
object and point image” the image will also get shifted towards the
mirror by 1 cm. rest
Case - 2 (Plane mirror and the object, both are shifted simultaneously)
Consider that initially both the object(O) and the mirror are fixed at
a particular position and the image(I) is also fixed, as shown in the
figure. Assume that the distance between the object to mirror and
mirror to the image is d. O I
Suppose the object and the mirror are shifted to the right by 1 cm
and 2 cm, respectively and the final position of the object and the d d
image are O’ and I’, as shown in the figure
2 cm
Since the object and the mirror, both are shifted to the right
and the plane mirror is always a perpendicular bisector of 1 cm
the line joining the object and image, the image will also get
shifted to the right. O I
As the object and the mirror are shifted to the right by 1 cm and
2 cm, the net displacement is 1 cm and hence, the distance d d
d–2
between the object(O’) and the final position of the mirror is
(d + 1) cm, which is also the distance between the image(I’)
and the final position of the mirror.
O’ I’
Since the mirror is shifted towards the right by 2 cm, the
distance between the initial image(I) and the final position of
the mirror is (d – 2) cm.
d+1 d+1
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03
Therefore, the net shift of the image towards right is,
I’I = [(final image from final mirror position) - (initial image from final mirror position)] cm
I’I = [(d + 1) – (d – 2)] cm
⇒ I’I = 3 cm
Generalisation
We know that both the object and the image are always equidistant from the mirror i.e., with respect
to the mirror, the distance of the object and the image from the mirror should be the same.
The problem of finding out the position of the image if both the object and the mirror are shifted
by some distance can be solved by using the frame of reference of the mirror (Mirror is fixed in this
frame).
In the ground frame, the object and the mirror moves to the right by xO = 1 cm and xM = 2 cm,
respectively, then using the concept of relative motion, the net shift of the object w.r.t. the mirror
i.e., the net shift of the object in the frame of reference of the mirror (M-frame) is,
xOM =xO − x M = 1 − 2 =− 1 cm
Therefore, in the M-frame the object moves to the left by 1 cm and hence, in the M-frame, the image
moves to the right by 1 cm.
If in the ground frame, the object moves by xO and the mirror moves xM, then in the M-frame, the
object is shifted by xOM= xO − x M and the image is shifted by,
x IM= x I − x M
Now we know x IM = − xOM M - Frame
Therefore,
1 cm 1 cm
( xO − x M ) = − ( xI − xM )
O I
⇒ xO − x M = − xI + xM
⇒ 2x M =xO + x I
rest
xO + x I
⇒ xM = .................... ( i )
2
In case-2 we had,
xO = 1 cm and xM = 2 cm (we have chosen right direction to be positive)
Therefore, by using the equation (i), we get x I = 2x M − xO = ( 2 × 2) − 1 = 3 cm
Now consider the case as shown in the following diagram: Ground frame
For this case, y
x IM = − xOM Object Image
And, yIG = yOG
Therefore,
( vIM )x = − ( vOM )x O
x
And, ( vIG ) y = ( vOG ) y
Hence, for x - axis,
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( vIGBYJU'S.
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MG ) =
− vAll − ( vOG − vMG )
And, yIG = yOG
04Therefore,
( vIM )x = − ( vOM )x
And, ( vIG ) y = ( vOG ) y
Hence, for x - axis,
( vIG − vMG ) = − ( vOG − vMG )
⇒ vIG − vMG = − vOG + vMG
⇒ 2vMG =vOG + vIG
vOG + vIG
⇒ vMG = .................... ( ii )
2
And for y - axis, vIG = vOG ............... ( iii )
Mirror
There is a point denoting the object and a plane mirror. If
the mirror is moved by 10 cm away from the object. Find Object
the distance by which the image will move. (Consider the
ground as a frame of reference).
Solution
The question can be clearly visualised from the following figure:
In this problem, we need to find the distance between the original position of the image and the
position of the image after the mirror is moved to a distance of 10 cm.
y
x x
x
O M I
d
10 cm
O M M’ l’
x + 10 x + 10
Method - 1
From the above figure, we get,
The initial distance between the mirror and the object is, OM = x cm
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The initial distance between the mirror and the image is, MI = x cm
Since the mirror is shifted to the right by 10 cm, MM’ = 10 cm
Therefore, the distance by which the image will move is,
d = MI’ – MI
⇒ d = (MM’ + M’I’) – MI
⇒ d = (10 + x + 10) – x
⇒ d = 20 cm
Therefore, the image will move to the right by 20 cm.
Method - 2
Consider M-frame. Since the mirror in ground frame moves to the right by 10 cm and in M-frame,
the mirror should be at rest, therefore, in M-frame with respect to the mirror, it will look like the
object moves to the left by 10 cm (using the concept of relative motion) and hence, the image also
moves by 10 cm but to the right.
Choosing the right direction to be positive, we can write the following:
In M-frame,
The distance by which the image is shifted to the right is, x IM = 10 cm
In ground frame,
The distance by which the mirror is shifted to the right is, x M = 10 cm
Therefore, the distance by which the image is shifted is,
=x I x IM + x M
⇒ x I = 10 + 10
⇒ xI = 20 cm
Since the sign of the vector is positive, in the ground frame the image will be shifted to the right by
20 cm.
Method - 3
Choosing the right direction to be positive and using equation (i), we can write the following:
In ground frame,
The distance by which the mirror is shifted to the right is, x M = 10 cm
The distance by which the object is shifted to the right is, xO = 0 cm
Therefore,
x I + xO
= xM
2
⇒ x I + xO = 2x M
⇒ x I =2 × 10 =20 cm
Since the sign of the vector is positive, in the ground frame the image will be shifted to the right by
20 cm.
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06
Mirror
An object moves with 5 ms –1 towards the right, while the
mirror moves with 1 ms –1 towards the left as shown. Find Object
5 ms –1 1 ms –1
the velocity of the image. (velocities are measured w.r.t.
ground frame)
Solution
First of all, consider the right direction to be positive.
Method - 1
In the ground frame,
The velocity of the object is, vO = 5 ms − 1
The velocity of the mirror is, vM = − 1 ms (Since it is towards the left)
−1
In the M-frame,
The velocity of the object is, vOM = 5 − ( − 1) = 6 ms − 1
Therefore, the velocity of the image is, vIM = − vOM = − 6 ms − 1
Therefore, the velocity of the image in the ground frame is,
v=I vIM + vM
⇒ vI =− 6 − 1
⇒ vI = − 7 ms − 1
Therefore, the velocity of the image w.r.t. the ground frame is 7 ms – 1 and the negative sign indicates
that the velocity of the image towards the left w.r.t. the ground frame.
Method - 2
In ground frame, from equation (ii), we get,
vO + vI
vM =
2
⇒ vI = 2vM − vO
⇒ vI = 2 × ( − 1 ) − 5
⇒ vI = − 7 ms − 1
Therefore, the velocity of the image towards the left w.r.t. the ground frame is 7 ms – 1.
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y Mirror
x 10 ms –1
In the situation shown in the figure, find the velocity 5 ms –1
Object
of the image. (velocities are measured w.r.t. ground 60° 30°
frame)
Solution MAIN
First of all, consider the right direction (+ ve x-direction) to be the positive one.
Along x-axis in the ground frame,
is, vOG 10 =
The velocity of the object= cos 60° 5 ms − 1
5 3
The velocity of the mirror is, vMG = − 5 cos 30° = − ms − 1
2
Therefore, from equation (ii), we get,
vOG + vIG
vMG =
2
⇒ vIG = 2vMG − vOG
5 3
⇒ vIG = 2 × − − 5
2
⇒ vIG = − 5 3 − 5 ms − 1
− 5( 3 + 1) ms − 1
⇒ vIG =
Along y-axis in the ground frame,
is, vOG 10 =
The velocity of the object= sin 60° 5 3 ms − 1
From equation (iii), we get,
vIG = vOG
⇒ vIG = 5 3 ms − 1
Therefore, the velocity of the image w.r.t. the ground frame is,
vI = ( )
− 5 1 + 3 iˆ + 5 3 ˆj
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08
M1 M2
The figure shows a point object placed between two
parallel mirrors. Its distance from M1 is 2 cm and that
from M2 is 8 cm. Find the distance of images from the
two mirrors considering reflection on mirror M1 first. 2 cm 8 cm
Solution MAIN
First of all, it should be noted that for this case, due to multiple reflections, the number of images
formed is infinite (when the mirrors are infinitely long) and the image formed by the first mirror will
act as an object for the second mirror and vice versa.
The question can be visualised as follows:
M1 M2
I121 I1 O N’ I12
N
2 cm 2 cm 8 cm
12 cm 12 cm
22 cm 22 cm
In this figure, I12 is the position of the image formed by the mirror M2 after reflection from the mirror
M1 and I121 is the position of the image formed by the mirror M1 after consecutive reflection from
the mirror M1 and M2.
If we consider that the first reflection on M1 mirror, then for that case, the object distance is, ON = 2
cm and hence, the distance of the first image of M1 is, NI1 = 2 cm
It is also given that ON’ = 8 cm and the image I1 serves as the object for mirror M2
Therefore, the distance of the object for M2 is,
N’I1 = (OI1 + ON’ ) = (ON + NI1 + ON’ ) = (2 + 2 + 8) = 12 cm
Hence, the first image of M2 will form at I12 and the distance is, N’I12 = 12 cm
Now, this first image of M2 will serve as the second object for M1 and the distance will be,
NI12 = NN’ + N’I12 = 10 + 12 = 22 cm
Hence, the image for this object will form at I121 and that distance will be, NI121 = 22 cm
This image of M1 will serve as the second object for M2 and this process continues.
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09
Object Object for Image Object distance Image distance
O M1 I1 2 cm 2 cm
I1 M2 I12 12 cm 12 cm
I12 M1 I121 22 cm 22 cm
M1
Consider two perpendicular mirrors M1 and M2 and a point
object O. Taking origin at the point of intersection of the O
mirrors and the coordinate of the object as (x, y), find the
position and number of images.
M2
Solution
Consider that the object is at the angle bisector of the M1
mirrors. Using the ray diagram, we can find out the
position of the images as shown in the figure. O
Here, I1 is the image formed by M1, I2 is the image formed I1
by M2 and I3 is the image formed by M1 (with I2 as an
object) and M2 (with I1 as an object). Hence, there will be M2
three images for the point object O.
Note:
Since the object O is at the angle bisector of those two I3 I2
mirrors, the image of I2 w.r.t. M1 and the image of I1 w.r.t.
M2 coincide with each other and give a single image I3. If the object O is not at the angle bisector of
those two mirrors, then those two images would not coincide with each other.
Alternative method:
M1
Firstly, find the images of the objects w.r.t. its mirrors
and then extend the mirrors, and then find out the (–x, y) O (x, y)
images of the image already formed with respect to
the extended mirrors, as shown in the given figure: I1
Here, the image of the object O w.r.t. to mirrors M1 and M2
M2 are I1 and I2, respectively. Now, if we extend the
mirrors as shown in the figure, we get an image of I1 (–x, –y) (x, –y)
w.r.t. extended mirror M2 as I3 and an image of I2 w.r.t. I3 I2
extended mirror M1 also as I3.
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This process holds only if the mirrors are perpendicular to each other and the object is at the angle
bisector of those two mirrors.
Generalisation
Consider an object P which makes an angle α and
β with the mirror M1 and M2, respectively. Imagine I1
a circle and the one end of the mirror is at the M1
centre of the circle and the other end is at the
circumference of the circle. P
I21
The first image of M1 will be I1 which also makes
an angle α with the mirror M1 and the first image 𝛼 𝛼
of M2 will be I2 which also makes an angle β with 2β
β
the mirror M2. 2𝛼 M2
β
Now the image I2 serves as the object for mirror 2β 2𝛼
M1 and the angle between the mirror M1 and
object I2 is (α + 2β) and hence, the image will be I121
at I21 making the same angle with M1 but on the I212 I2
opposite side of I2.
In this way, the consecutive images are formed
I12
and the process is depicted in the given figure.
In this figure, I12 is the position of the image formed by the mirror M2 with I1 as an object, and I121 is
the position of the image formed by the mirror M1 with I12 as an object. Similarly, I21 is the position of
the image formed by the mirror M1 with I2 as an object and I212 is the position of the image formed
by the mirror M2 with I21 as an object.
The angles of three images for each of the mirror are tabulated below:
The image formed by mirror M1 at an angle The image formed by mirror M2 at an angle
α β
α + 2β 2α + β
3α + 2β 2α + 3β
To remember the table, follow the following rules:
Image formed by mirror M1 at an Image formed by mirror M2 at an
angle θ1 < 180° angle θ2 < 180°
α α+β β
α + 2β α+β 2α + β
3α + 2β 2α + 3β
Where (α + β) is the angle of inclination between the two mirrors.
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