Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Geometrical Optics
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Geometrical Optics
As shown in the figure, a point source S is positioned midway...
As shown in the figure, a point source is positioned midway between two converging mirrors having equal focal length . Determine the values of for which only a single image is formed.

Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
C.
Step-by-step solution
For a single image to be formed, the images produced by both mirrors must coincide.
Let the distance between the mirrors be . The point source is placed midway, so the object distance for each mirror is .
Using the mirror formula for one of the concave mirrors (with focal length ):
The negative sign indicates the image is formed at a distance in front of the mirror. By symmetry, the second mirror forms its image at the same distance.
Case 1: The images coincide at a finite distance.
For the two images to coincide, they must meet at the same point in space. By symmetry, they must meet at the midpoint. Thus, the distance of each image from its respective mirror must be .
Here, the images coincide exactly at the position of the source .
Case 2: The images coincide at infinity.
This occurs when the reflected rays are parallel, meaning the object is placed at the principal focus of both mirrors.
Thus, the values of for which only a single image is formed are and .
Answer:
Let the distance between the mirrors be . The point source is placed midway, so the object distance for each mirror is .
Using the mirror formula for one of the concave mirrors (with focal length ):
The negative sign indicates the image is formed at a distance in front of the mirror. By symmetry, the second mirror forms its image at the same distance.
Case 1: The images coincide at a finite distance.
For the two images to coincide, they must meet at the same point in space. By symmetry, they must meet at the midpoint. Thus, the distance of each image from its respective mirror must be .
Here, the images coincide exactly at the position of the source .
Case 2: The images coincide at infinity.
This occurs when the reflected rays are parallel, meaning the object is placed at the principal focus of both mirrors.
Thus, the values of for which only a single image is formed are and .
Answer: