Question

Under which of the following conditions a concave mirror can form an image larger than the actual object ?

• A. When the object is kept at a distance equal to its radius of curvature
• B. When object is kept at a distance less than its focal length
• C. When object is placed between the focus and centre of curvature
• D. When object is kept at a distance greater than its radius of curvature

Answer 1

The correct option is C When object is placed between the focus and centre of curvature

When the object is located in front of the center of curvature, the image will be located beyond the center of curvature. Regardless of exactly where the object is located between C and F, the image will be located somewhere beyond the center of curvature. In this case, the image will be inverted (i.e., a right side up object results in an upside-down image). The image dimensions are larger than the object dimensions. A six-foot tall person would have an image that is larger than six feet tall; the absolute value of the magnification is greater than 1. Finally, the image is a real image. Light rays actually converge at the image location. As such, the image of the object could be projected upon a sheet of paper.