Question

The magnification produced by a mirror is 1/3,then the type of mirror______
A.) Concave
B.) Convex

Answer 1

A magnification less than one means that the image is smaller than the object. Which of these mirrors produces a smaller image? This should help.

Answer 2

i don't know which mirror is smaller.

Answer 3

Imagine you have a bowl. The same type of bowl you eat cereal out of in the morning or tomato soup out of with your grilled cheese.

Imagine taking a flat piece of paper with a picture on it.

Imagine pasting this picture onto the inside of the gown. Notice how the picture seems to bunch up and "cram" into the bowl? Kind of like the concave shape of the bowl is too small to accommodate the picture.

Now imagine pasting the same picture to the outside of the gown (the side that rests on the table as you eat). Notice how the picture feels small and stretched. Kind of like the convex shape of the bowl is too large to accept the picture.

This idea applies to mirrors. A concave mirror moves light rays together much like the shape of the bowl pushes the paper together. A convex mirror spreads the light rays apart much like the shape of the underside of a bowl.

You can also grab a spoon from your drawer. Try to see yourself in the side you eat from, the concave side. Notice anything about your reflection? How about the underside? Notice anything when you try to see yourself on this side?