1. Here, we’ll show you how to draw a ray diagram for a concave mirror when the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point

2. Here’s a diagram of a concave mirror, showing the position of the principal axis and the focal point, F. The Focal Point × F The Principal Axis

3. × Another important point in this diagram is Point C, the center of curvature, which is twice the distance from the mirror as the focal point, F. C The Center of Curvature × F

4. × In this case the object, a yellow arrow, is between the center of curvature and the focal point. C × F The Object

5. × To predict where the image will be and what is will be like, we start by drawing a straight line from the top of the object to the mirror (click) like this. This line must be parallel to the principal axis C × F

6. × Now we extend this ray, which reflects from the surface of the mirror and goes straight through the focal point, F (click), like this C × F

7. × Next, we draw a straight line between the top of the object and the center of curvature (click) and we extend it up to the surface of the mirror, and down past the point of intersection with the purple line. C × F

8. × A ray from the top of the object will travel along this line to the surface of the mirror (click), and because this line goes through the center of curvature, C × F

9. × It will be reflected straight back along this line like this C × F

10. × These two reflected rays from the top of the object, the purple on and the green one, converge at this point. C × F The rays converge here

11. × So this point will be the top of the object in the image C × F The top of the object in the image

12. × The bottom of our object is sitting on the principal axis. C × F The top of the object in the image The bottom of the object is on the principal axis

13. × So the bottom of the object in the image will touch the principal axis here, directly above the point where the top of the object appears in the image C × F The top of the object in the image The bottom of the object in the image is here

14. × Now that we know where the bottom and top of the object will be in the image, C × F The top of the object in the image The bottom of the object in the image is here

15. × We can draw in the image (click) C × F The top of the object in the image The bottom of the object in the image is here

16. Now we’ll use this diagram to summarize the characteristics of an image formed by a concave mirror when the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point. When the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point of a concave mirror: 1.The image is larger than the object 2.The image is inverted 3.The image is in front of the mirror, outside of the center of curvature 4.The image is a real image

17. First, we can see that the image is larger than the object. When the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point of a concave mirror: 1.The image is larger than the object 2.The image is inverted 3.The image is in front of the mirror, outside of the center of curvature 4.The image is a real image

18. Next, we see that the image is upside down, or inverted. When the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point of a concave mirror: 1.The image is larger than the object 2.The image is inverted 3.The image is in front of the mirror, outside of the center of curvature 4.The image is a real image

19. Thirdly, we see that the image is in front of the mirror and is located outside the center of curvature. When the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point of a concave mirror: 1.The image is larger than the object 2.The image is inverted 3.The image is in front of the mirror, outside of the center of curvature 4.The image is a real image

20. Lastly, because the image is formed when two solid rays actually cross, it is a real image. If the sensor of a digital camera is placed at this location, the image would be recorded. When the object is between the center of curvature and the focal point of a concave mirror: 1.The image is larger than the object 2.The image is inverted 3.The image is in front of the mirror, outside of the center of curvature 4.The image is a real image