Question

In the case of which mirror is the object distance and the image distance are always numerically equal?

• A. Concave mirror
• B. Convex mirror
• C. Plane mirror
• D. Any spherical mirror

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Plane mirror

Yes, the statement is correct.

In the case of a plane mirror, the object distance and the image distance are always numerically equal.

This means that:

• The object is located at a certain distance in front of the mirror.

• The image formed by the plane mirror appears to be the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.

In mathematical terms:

• If the object distance is u, then the image distance v will be v= −u

• The negative sign indicates that the image is virtual and formed behind the mirror.

So, for a plane mirror, the magnitude of the object distance and image distance are equal, but the image is virtual, erect, and laterally inverted.