An object O is placed at the location shown in front of a convex spherical mirror. Use ray tracing to determine the location and size of the image in the mirror. As you work, keep in mind the following properties of principal rays: A ray parallel to the axis, after reflection, passes through the focal point F of a concave mirror or appears to come from the (virtual) focal point of a convex mirror. A ray through (or proceeding toward) the focal point F is reflected parallel to the axis. A ray along the radius through or away from the center of curvature Cintersects the surface normally and is reflected back along its original path.
A ray to the vertex V is reflected, forming equal angles with the optic axis. Now trace the path of a ray emitted from the tip of the object parallel to the axis of the mirror and then the reflected ray that results. Start by extending the existing ray emitted from the tip of the object. Then create the reflected ray. Draw the vector for the reflected ray starting from the point where the incident focal ray hits the mirror. The location and orientation of the vector will be graded. The length of the vector will not be graded.