AAMC FL Practice Exam

What is the formula for mirrors regarding object distance and image distance?

1. 1/o + 1/i = 1/f

2. n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2

3. m = -i/o

4. Power = 1/f

The correct answer is: 1/o + 1/i = 1/f

The formula relating object distance, image distance, and focal length for mirrors is represented as \( \frac{1}{o} + \frac{1}{i} = \frac{1}{f} \). This equation is known as the mirror equation, where \( o \) is the object distance from the mirror, \( i \) is the image distance from the mirror, and \( f \) is the focal length of the mirror. In this context, the mirror equation allows one to determine the relationships between these distances. The focal length is a crucial parameter that signifies whether the mirror is concave (where focal length is positive) or convex (where focal length is negative). As a result, this relationship helps in predicting where the image will be formed based on the position of the object relative to the mirror. The other options refer to different principles in optics. The equation involving \( n1 \) and \( n2 \) describes Snell's Law, which is used for refraction at interfaces between different media, while the magnification formula \( m = -\frac{i}{o} \) relates to the ratio of image height to object height, providing insight into how the size of the image compares to the size of the