11
Which of the following statements is correct with respect to the mirror equation?
Answer & Solution
Answer: Option
B
Solution:
The mirror equation is given by:
1/f = 1/v + 1/u
In this equation:
u = object distance
v = image distance
f = focal length
A fundamental rule of the mirror formula is that all these distances must be measured from a common reference point.
For spherical mirrors, the reference point is always the mirror pole (P).
This makes Option B correct.
Why other options are incorrect:
Option A is incorrect because the center of curvature is not “equally spaced”; it is located at a distance equal to the radius of curvature from the pole.
Option C is incorrect because rays do not necessarily strike or deviate at the pole.
Option D is incorrect because the pole and focus are different points; the focus lies at half the radius of curvature.
✔ Therefore, the correct statement is: All distances must be measured from the mirror pole.
1/f = 1/v + 1/u
In this equation:
u = object distance
v = image distance
f = focal length
A fundamental rule of the mirror formula is that all these distances must be measured from a common reference point.
For spherical mirrors, the reference point is always the mirror pole (P).
This makes Option B correct.
Why other options are incorrect:
Option A is incorrect because the center of curvature is not “equally spaced”; it is located at a distance equal to the radius of curvature from the pole.
Option C is incorrect because rays do not necessarily strike or deviate at the pole.
Option D is incorrect because the pole and focus are different points; the focus lies at half the radius of curvature.
✔ Therefore, the correct statement is: All distances must be measured from the mirror pole.