How Do Mirrors Magnify an Image?
Types of Mirrors Most mirrors that we deal with on a regular basis reflect images that are the same size, as the original object. The size of the mirror image depends on merely the object’s distance from the reflecting surface. There are, however, some mirrors that change the size of the reflected image as a result of their optics. There are three basic classes of mirrors: plane, convex and concave. Plane mirrors have a flat reflective surface, and are the type of mirrors most familiar in our daily lives. Convex mirrors have a reflective surface that curves outward and reflects images that are smaller than the original objects. The final type of mirror is the concave mirror. Concave mirrors also are curved, but the reflective surface bends inward to make the mirror appear to have a shape like the inside of a bowl. This surface shape allows for reflections to be magnified or diminished, inverted or right-side up. Important Terms The principal axis of a concave mirror is a straight line
