Chapter 5: Q8DQ (page 1151)

For a spherical mirror, if s = f , then s' = $\infty$ , and the lateral magnification m is infinite. Does this make sense? If so, what does it mean?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Yes, it makes sense that m is infinity and $s'$ is also infinity.

Step by step solution

Ratio between the distance and the magnification

Now the ratio of between the distance of the object s and the distance of the image s' is called the lateral magnification m and it is given by the equation:

$m = - \frac{s'}{s}$

Lateral magnification

Now, it is given that the $s = f$ where f is the focal length and $s' = \infty$ . Putting the values in the above equation we get:

$m = - \frac{s'}{s} = - \frac{\infty}{f} = \infty$

Hence the lateral magnification is given by $\infty$ , which makes sense.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

For a spherical mirror, if s = f , then s' = $\infty$ , and the lateral magnification m is infinite. Does this make sense? If so, what does it mean?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Ratio between the distance and the magnification

Lateral magnification

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Quantum Physics

Mechanics and Materials

Thermodynamics

Electricity

Medical Physics

Electrostatics

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

For a spherical mirror, if s = f , then s' = ∞, and the lateral magnification m is infinite. Does this make sense? If so, what does it mean?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Ratio between the distance and the magnification

Lateral magnification

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Quantum Physics

Mechanics and Materials

Thermodynamics

Electricity

Medical Physics

Electrostatics

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

For a spherical mirror, if s = f , then s' = $\infty$ , and the lateral magnification m is infinite. Does this make sense? If so, what does it mean?