Lenses & Mirrors

1. Why does a plane mirror reverse left and right but not top and bottom?

2. If a spherical mirror is immersed in water, does its focal length change?

3. Under what condition will a concave spherical mirror form a real image?

4. Observe two mirrors set on a table at right angles. How many image reflections can you count? Why do the distant images appear darker?

5. Describe the characteristics and effects of a compact mirror used for applying makeup.

6. Draw a spoon. Label the concave side and convex side. Label the positive and negative sides.

7. "See yourself as others see you!" How could you do this with two plane mirrors? Try it.

8. "As I sat alone at the corner table in the restaurant , my eyes made contact with hers across the room. She smiled. I smiled. And as the waiter poured white wine into my empty wine glass, the image from the chandelier above appeared on the tablecloth. She walked across the room towards me, still smiling, and when she reached my table, I could only concentrate on why that chandelier image was focused on the table cloth. Oh, the curse of being a physicist!" From The Physicists's Curse by Ray A. Berration. Explain how the chandelier's image appeared.

9. Parallel light rays hit a convex air lens under water. Sketch the rays after passing through the lens.

10. Police have two arson suspects in custody. The guilty one started a grass fire by using eyeglasses. How can you exonerate the innocent suspect?

11. Maps of the moon and planets are often printed upside-down. Why?

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