Images

The image in a plane mirror is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front.

• Start by drawing a line from the object to the mirror. This line should be at right angles to the mirror. (To make this possible you may have to extend the mirror so that it becomes longer than it really is.) Continue this line beyond the mirror for an equal distance. You have now reached the image. The image is virtual.

• Next draw a ray from the object until it hits the actual mirror (rather than the extended version).

• Now put your ruler so that it connects the image with the point where the ray hits the mirror. Draw a line along the ruler that is dotted between image and mirror and solid for the next bit, representing the reflected ray.

• You will probably have to repeat this for a second ray.

If you are given an eye, you must carry these operations out in the reverse order:

• Draw the image first

• Place a ruler to join the image to the eye

• Draw a dotted line from the image to the interface, and continue it as a solid line to the eye.

• Repeat for a second ray.