AP Physics 2 Quiz: Images Formed By Mirrors

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Images Formed By Mirrors, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for AP Physics 2.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. Virtual, upright, and smaller than the car (correct answer)
2. Real, inverted, and smaller than the car
3. Real, upright, and larger than the car
4. Virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors, like those used as side mirrors on vehicles, always produce virtual, upright, and diminished images because they cause rays to diverge. The reflected rays spread outward, and their backward extensions appear to originate from a point behind the mirror, creating a virtual image. The diverging nature of convex mirrors ensures the image is always smaller than the object, which provides a wider field of view for drivers. Choice B incorrectly identifies the image as real and inverted, representing the misconception that all diminished images must be real. Remember that convex mirrors consistently produce virtual, upright, reduced images regardless of object position.

Question 2

1. Real, inverted, and the same size as the object (correct answer)
2. Virtual, upright, and the same size as the object
3. Real, upright, and larger than the object
4. Virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed at the center of curvature C of a concave mirror, the image forms exactly at C as well, creating a special case where object and image distances are equal. The ray through C reflects back on itself, and a ray parallel to the principal axis reflects through F, with both rays intersecting at C. Since the rays actually converge at this point, the image is real and inverted, and because the object and image distances are equal (both at 2f), the image has the same size as the object. Choice B incorrectly identifies the image as virtual and upright, representing the misconception that same-sized images must be virtual. For concave mirrors, remember that placing an object at C produces a real, inverted, same-sized image at C.

Question 3

1. Real, inverted, and smaller than the object (correct answer)
2. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object
3. Real, upright, and smaller than the object
4. Virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed beyond the center of curvature C (farther than 2f) of a concave mirror, the reflected rays converge between F and C to form a real image. The ray parallel to the principal axis reflects through F, and the ray through C reflects back on itself, with their intersection occurring closer to the mirror than the object. Since the image forms where rays actually converge, it is real and inverted, and because the image distance is less than the object distance, the image is diminished. Choice C incorrectly states the image is real and upright, representing the misconception that real images can be upright. Use ray diagrams with principal rays to systematically determine image location and characteristics.

Question 4

1. Real and upright
2. Virtual and upright (correct answer)
3. Real and inverted
4. Formed on the mirror surface and upright

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors have a virtual focal point behind the mirror surface, causing all incident rays to diverge after reflection regardless of object position. When parallel rays from a distant object strike a convex mirror, they reflect and diverge as if coming from the virtual focal point behind the mirror. The brain interprets these diverging rays as coming from a virtual, upright, and diminished image located between the mirror surface and the focal point. Choice C (real and inverted) represents the misconception of confusing convex mirrors with concave mirrors, which can form real images. For any curved mirror problem, identify the mirror type first, then use ray diagrams to determine image properties.

Question 5

1. Real, upright, and smaller than the object
2. Real, inverted, and larger than the object
3. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object (correct answer)
4. Virtual, inverted, and located on the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is positioned just inside the focal length of a concave mirror, rays parallel to the axis reflect through f, but since the object is closer than f, the reflected rays diverge. Extending these diverging rays backward reveals they appear to originate from a point behind the mirror, creating a virtual image. This virtual image is upright and magnified compared to the object. Choice A incorrectly suggests a real inverted image, showing the misconception that all concave mirror positions produce real images—objects inside f always produce virtual images. For concave mirrors, remember the critical boundary: objects beyond f yield real images, while objects inside f yield virtual, upright, magnified images.

Question 6

1. Virtual, inverted, and smaller than the object
2. Real, inverted, and the same size as the object
3. Virtual, upright, and the same size as the object (correct answer)
4. Real, upright, and located on the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Plane mirrors reflect light such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, causing reflected rays to appear to originate from a point behind the mirror at the same distance as the object. The image is virtual (cannot be projected on a screen), upright, and the same size as the object, though laterally inverted (left-right reversed). Choice A incorrectly suggests a real inverted image, representing the misconception that plane mirrors can produce real images—plane mirrors always produce virtual images. To analyze plane mirrors, remember they produce virtual images that are upright, same-sized, and located as far behind the mirror as the object is in front.

Question 7

1. real, inverted, and either larger or smaller than the object (correct answer)
2. virtual, inverted, and the same size as the object
3. virtual, upright, and larger than the object
4. real, upright, and the same size as the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When reflected rays from a concave mirror converge to form an image on a screen, this definitively indicates a real image. Real images from concave mirrors are always inverted and can be either larger (when object is between F and C) or smaller (when object is beyond C) than the object. The ability to project on a screen is the key identifier of a real image. Choice A incorrectly limits the image to being larger, but real images can be reduced when objects are far away. To identify real images, look for converging rays that can be captured on a screen.

Question 8

1. virtual, upright, and larger than the object
2. real, inverted, and larger than the object (correct answer)
3. virtual, inverted, and smaller than the object
4. real, upright, and the same size as the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed between F and C of a concave mirror, ray tracing shows that reflected rays converge beyond C. A ray parallel to the axis reflects through F, while a ray through F reflects parallel to the axis—these rays intersect beyond C to form a real image. This real image is inverted and larger than the object (magnified). Choice A incorrectly suggests a virtual image, but virtual images only form when objects are inside F. To solve these problems, always trace at least two principal rays to locate where they converge (real) or appear to diverge from (virtual).

Question 9

1. virtual, upright, and smaller than the object (correct answer)
2. real, upright, and larger than the object
3. virtual, inverted, and larger than the object
4. real, inverted, and smaller than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors always produce virtual images because the reflected rays diverge, appearing to originate from behind the mirror surface. These virtual images are always upright and reduced in size (smaller than the object), regardless of object position. The diverging rays mentioned in the problem confirm this behavior. Choice B incorrectly suggests a real image, but convex mirrors cannot form real images because rays never actually converge. For convex mirrors, remember the simple rule: all images are virtual, upright, and diminished.

Question 10

1. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object
2. Real, inverted, and the same size as the object (correct answer)
3. Real, upright, and smaller than the object
4. Virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed at the center of curvature (2f) of a concave mirror, rays parallel to the axis reflect through f, while rays through f reflect parallel to the axis. These rays intersect exactly at the center of curvature on the same side as the object, creating a real image. The image has the same size as the object but is inverted (flipped upside down). Choice A incorrectly suggests a virtual upright image, representing the misconception that placement at 2f produces virtual images—objects beyond f always produce real images with concave mirrors. For special positions like 2f, memorize that the image forms at the same distance with equal size but inverted orientation.

Question 11

1. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object
2. Real, inverted, and smaller than the object (correct answer)
3. Real, upright, and larger than the object
4. Virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed slightly beyond 2f from a concave mirror, rays parallel to the axis reflect through f, while rays through the center of curvature reflect back on themselves. These rays converge between f and 2f on the object's side of the mirror, creating a real image that can be projected on a screen. The image is inverted and smaller than the object since it forms closer to the mirror than the object distance. Choice A incorrectly suggests a virtual upright image, showing the misconception that objects beyond 2f produce virtual images—objects beyond f always yield real images. Use ray tracing to verify that objects beyond 2f produce real, inverted, diminished images.

Question 12

1. Virtual, upright, and smaller than the object
2. Real, upright, and the same size as the object
3. Real, inverted, and larger than the object (correct answer)
4. Virtual, inverted, and located on the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed between f and 2f from a concave mirror, rays parallel to the principal axis reflect through the focal point, while rays through the center of curvature reflect back on themselves. These rays converge beyond the center of curvature on the same side as the object, forming a real image that can be projected on a screen. The image is inverted (upside down) and magnified compared to the object. Choice C incorrectly suggests a real upright image, which represents the misconception that real images can be upright—real images from single mirrors are always inverted. To solve mirror problems systematically, trace at least two principal rays and find where they intersect (real) or appear to diverge from (virtual).

Question 13

1. No finite image forms; the image is at infinity (correct answer)
2. Real, upright, and located on the mirror surface
3. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object
4. Real, inverted, and smaller than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed exactly at the focal point of a concave mirror, incident rays reflect to become parallel to the principal axis. Since parallel rays never converge at a finite distance, no real image forms on a screen at any finite position. The reflected rays neither converge nor appear to diverge from a finite point, so the image is effectively at infinity. Choice A incorrectly suggests a finite real image, representing the misconception that objects at the focal point produce normal images—this is the unique position where no finite image forms. When analyzing mirror systems, recognize that placement at the focal point produces parallel reflected rays with no finite image.

Question 14

1. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object (correct answer)
2. Real, upright, and located at the mirror surface
3. Virtual, inverted, and smaller than the object
4. Real, inverted, and larger than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed inside the focal length of a concave mirror, rays parallel to the axis still reflect through the focal point, but now these reflected rays diverge rather than converge. To find the image, we must extend the diverging rays backward behind the mirror where they appear to originate. This creates a virtual image that cannot be projected on a screen. The virtual image appears upright and magnified compared to the object. Choice C incorrectly suggests a virtual inverted image, representing the misconception that virtual images can be inverted—virtual images are always upright. Remember that for concave mirrors, objects inside the focal length always produce virtual, upright, magnified images.

Question 15

1. Real, inverted, and larger than the object
2. Virtual, upright, and smaller than the object (correct answer)
3. Real, upright, and located at the mirror surface
4. Virtual, inverted, and larger than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors are diverging mirrors that always produce the same type of image regardless of where the object is placed: virtual, upright, and smaller than the object. The reflected rays diverge outward, and only their backward extensions meet behind the mirror, creating a virtual image that appears closer to the mirror than the object. The diverging nature ensures the image is always diminished, and virtual images are always upright relative to the object. Choice D incorrectly suggests the image is inverted, representing the misconception that virtual images can be inverted. Remember that convex mirrors have consistent image characteristics: always virtual, upright, and reduced.

Question 16

1. Real and inverted
2. Virtual and upright (correct answer)
3. Real and upright
4. Formed on the mirror surface and upright

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors have a diverging effect on all incident light rays due to their outward-curving surface, making it impossible to form real images at any object distance. When a shopper stands anywhere in front of the security mirror, reflected rays diverge as if coming from a virtual focal point behind the mirror, creating a virtual image between the mirror surface and this focal point. The image always appears upright and reduced in size, allowing security personnel to see a wide field of view. Choice A (real and inverted) incorrectly assumes convex mirrors can form real images like concave mirrors do. To identify image types quickly, remember that convex mirrors and diverging lenses only form virtual, upright, diminished images.

Question 17

1. Virtual and upright
2. Real and inverted (correct answer)
3. Real and upright
4. Formed on the mirror surface and inverted

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed at the center of curvature (2f) of a concave mirror, it lies at twice the focal length from the mirror surface. At this special position, a ray through the center of curvature reflects directly back on itself, while a ray parallel to the axis reflects through f, and these rays converge exactly at 2f on the same side as the object. The resulting image is real (formed by actual light convergence), inverted, and the same size as the object. Choice A (virtual and upright) represents the misconception of assuming images at 2f behave like those inside f. To remember image properties, use the rule that concave mirrors produce real, inverted images for all object positions beyond f.

Question 18

1. real, inverted, and smaller than the object
2. virtual, upright, and smaller than the object (correct answer)
3. virtual, inverted, and located at the mirror surface
4. real, upright, and larger than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Convex mirrors, like those used for security purposes, always produce virtual images regardless of object position. These images are always upright and reduced in size (smaller than the object), which allows a wide field of view—perfect for security applications. The virtual image appears to be located behind the mirror surface at a distance less than the focal length. Choice A incorrectly suggests a real image, but convex mirrors cannot form real images due to their diverging nature. For any convex mirror problem, apply the universal rule: virtual, upright, and diminished.

Question 19

1. Real, inverted, and the same size as the object
2. Virtual, upright, and the same size as the object (correct answer)
3. Virtual, upright, and smaller than the object
4. Real, upright, and located on the mirror surface

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. Plane mirrors always produce virtual images because the reflected rays follow the law of reflection and appear to come from behind the mirror when traced backward. The image is always upright, the same size as the object, and located the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front. The image appears laterally inverted (left-right reversed) but maintains the same height. Choice A incorrectly suggests a real, inverted image, which represents the misconception that plane mirrors can produce real images. Remember that plane mirrors always produce virtual, upright, same-size images.

Question 20

1. Virtual, upright, and larger than the object
2. Real, inverted, and the same size as the object (correct answer)
3. Real, upright, and smaller than the object
4. Virtual, inverted, and smaller than the object

Explanation: This question tests understanding of images formed by mirrors. When an object is placed at the center of curvature C of a concave mirror, the reflected rays converge to form a real image also at C, on the same side as the object. This special position produces an image that is real, inverted, and exactly the same size as the object. The symmetry of this configuration means all rays from the object reflect back through C. Choice A incorrectly suggests a virtual, upright image, which represents the misconception that position at C produces virtual images. Remember that at C, concave mirrors produce real, inverted, same-size images.