Question

We want a mirror that will make an object look larger. What combination of image and object distances (from the mirror) will accomplish this?

• A. Image Distance $3.0cm$, Object Distance $3.0cm$
• B. Image Distance $2.0cm$, Object Distance $3.0cm$
• C. Image Distance $3.0cm$, Object Distance $5.0cm$
• D. Image Distance $3.0cm$, Object Distance $2.0cm$
• E. Image Distance $3.0cm$, Object Distance $10.0cm$

Answer 1

The correct option is D Image Distance $3.0cm$, Object Distance $2.0cm$

Magnification by a mirror $m=\frac{-v}{u}$

The image distance $|u|$ should be less than object distance $|v|$ so that $m>1$ i.e. magnified image. Here we don't have to consider the sign of $u$ and $v$ as we are not concerned about the nature of the imgae. We are interested only in the size of image.

For option D : $m=\frac{-3.0}{-2.0}=1.5$ $⟹m>1$

Thus the data given in option D will make a larger image.