Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 23 - Ray Optics - Exercises and Problems - Page 693: 76

Answer

$-100\;\rm cm$

Work Step by Step

We know that the magnification of the given mirror is given by $$m=\dfrac{h'}{h}=\dfrac{-s'}{s}$$ Hence, $$m=\dfrac{1}{2}=\dfrac{-s'}{s}$$ Thus, $$s=-2s'\tag 1$$ which means that the distance between the where the distance between the object and the image is 150 cm, so $s'+s=150$ cm. So that $s'+2s'=150$. Thus, $$s'=\bf -50\;\rm cm\tag 2$$ The negative sign is due to the virtual image since it is upright and is formed behind the mirror. and hence, $$s=\bf 100\;\rm cm$$ Now we can find the focal length by using the thin lens formula, $$\dfrac{1}{s}+\dfrac{1}{s'}=\dfrac{1}{f}$$ Hence, $$f=\left[ \dfrac{1}{s}+\dfrac{1}{s'}\right]^{-1}$$ Plugging from (1), $$f=\left[ \dfrac{1}{-2s'}+\dfrac{1}{s'}\right]^{-1}$$ Plugging from (2), $$f=\left[ \dfrac{1}{-2(-50)}+\dfrac{1}{(-50)}\right]^{-1}$$ $$f=\color{red}{\bf-100}\;\rm cm$$ Since the focal length is negative, it must be a convex mirror.
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