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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 SS is positioned midway between two converging mirrors having equal focal length ff. Determine the values of dd for which only a single image is formed.
As shown in the figure, a point source S is positioned midway between two converging mirrors having equal focal length

Options

  1. Af,4ff, 4f
  2. B2f,3f2f, 3f
  3. C2f,4f2f, 4f
  4. Df,2ff, 2f

Correct answer

C. 2f,4f2f, 4f

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 dd. The point source SS is placed midway, so the object distance for each mirror is u=−d2u = -\dfrac{d}{2}.

Using the mirror formula for one of the concave mirrors (with focal length F=−fF = -f):
1v+1u=1F\dfrac{1}{v} + \dfrac{1}{u} = \dfrac{1}{F}
1v−2d=−1f\dfrac{1}{v} - \dfrac{2}{d} = -\dfrac{1}{f}
1v=2d−1f=2f−ddf\dfrac{1}{v} = \dfrac{2}{d} - \dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{2f - d}{df}
v=−dfd−2fv = -\dfrac{df}{d - 2f}

The negative sign indicates the image is formed at a distance dfd−2f\dfrac{df}{d - 2f} 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 d2\dfrac{d}{2}.
dfd−2f=d2\dfrac{df}{d - 2f} = \dfrac{d}{2}
2fd−2f=1⇒2f=d−2f⇒d=4f\dfrac{2f}{d - 2f} = 1 \Rightarrow 2f = d - 2f \Rightarrow d = 4f
Here, the images coincide exactly at the position of the source SS.

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.
d2=f⇒d=2f\dfrac{d}{2} = f \Rightarrow d = 2f

Thus, the values of dd for which only a single image is formed are 2f2f and 4f4f.

Answer: 2f,4f2f, 4f
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