AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Flashcards: Images Formed by Mirrors
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 14 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the magnification equation, relating image height (h_i), object height (h_o), image distance (s_i), and object distance (s_o)?
The magnification equation is $M = \frac{h_i}{h_o} = -\frac{s_i}{s_o}$.
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What is the magnification equation, relating image height (h_i), object height (h_o), image distance (s_i), and object distance (s_o)?
The magnification equation is $M = \frac{h_i}{h_o} = -\frac{s_i}{s_o}$.
What four characteristics of an image can be determined using ray diagrams?
Ray diagrams can determine an image's location (distance), type (real/virtual), size (magnification), and orientation (upright/inverted).
What is the primary purpose of using a ray diagram with mirrors?
Ray diagrams are used to graphically determine the location, type, size, and orientation of an image formed by a mirror.
What is a virtual image?
A virtual image is formed when reflected light rays diverge in a way that they appear to have originated from a common point behind the mirror.
What two sets of information does the magnification equation $M = -\frac{s_i}{s_o}$ depend on?
The magnification depends on the locations of both the object and the image relative to the mirror.
What two factors determine the location of an image formed by a mirror?
The image location depends on the mirror's focal length and the distance of the object from the surface of the mirror.
What is the mirror equation, which relates object distance (s_o), image distance (s_i), and focal length (f)?
The mirror equation is $\frac{1}{s_i} + \frac{1}{s_o} = \frac{1}{f}$.
What is a real image?
A real image is formed by a mirror when light rays from a common point are reflected and then actually intersect at another common point.
What three physical quantities does the mirror equation relate?
The mirror equation relates the mirror's focal length, the object's distance from the mirror, and the image's distance from the mirror.
According to the magnification equation $M = -\frac{s_i}{s_o}$, what does a negative value for magnification (M) indicate about the image's orientation?
A negative magnification value signifies that the image is inverted relative to the object's orientation.
If the calculated image distance (s_i) is a positive value, what type of image is formed?
A positive image distance indicates that the image is a real image, formed on the same side of the mirror as the object.
If an image is the same size as the object, what is the value of its magnification (M)?
If the image size equals the object size, the magnification M is either +1 (for an upright image) or -1 (for an inverted image).
How can you distinguish between the formation of a real image and a virtual image based on the behavior of reflected light rays?
A real image is formed where reflected rays actually converge and intersect, while a virtual image is formed where diverging reflected rays appear to originate from.
Define the magnification of an image formed by a mirror.
Magnification is the ratio of the size (height) of the image produced to the size (height) of the object itself.