Question

Magnification produced by a rear view mirror fitted in vehicles

• A. is less than one
• B. is more than one
• C. is equal to one
• D. can be more than or less than one depending upon the position of the object in front of it.

Answer 1

The correct option is A is less than one

We know, magnification of a mirror, $m=\frac{heightoftheimage}{heightoftheobject}$

If the magnification is $m\ge 1$, then height of the image is equal or greater than the height of the object. So, a small part of the image will be viewed through the mirror. Then, we cannot have the detailed idea of motion of vehicles behind us.

But in rear view mirror, we can easily see even the bigger vehicles following as these mirrors forms a virtual, erect but diminished image of the actual object.

Hence, the magnification of rear view mirror is always less than one.

So, the correct option is (A).