Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can describe the focal point of a concave, a convex and a plane mirror, and use f ≈ R/2. (Guide: “Curved mirrors and the focal point”; Practice Q2)
- I can explain the difference between a real and a virtual image in terms of whether reflected rays meet. (Guide: “Real and virtual images”; Practice Q7c)
- I can explain why a plane-mirror image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front. (Guide: “The mirror equation and sign conventions”; Practice Q1)
- I can state the sign convention for f and sᵢ, and say what a negative sᵢ means. (Guide: sign table; Practice Q2, Q3)
Calculation and skills
- I can draw the three principal rays for a concave and a convex mirror, using dashed lines for virtual extensions. (Guide: Figures 1 and 2; Practice Q5a)
- I can use the mirror equation to locate the image for a concave or convex mirror. (Guide: Worked examples 1 and 2; Practice Q3, Q5b)
- I can find the image height from |M| = |sᵢ/sₒ| and describe the image by location, type, orientation and size. (Guide: “Magnification”; Practice Q5c)
- I can derive a symbolic expression for magnification and use it to find where to place an object. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q6)
- I can linearise the mirror equation and find f from the intercept of a best-fit line. (Practice Q7a, Q7b)
Reasoning
- I can predict how the image position and size change as an object moves towards a concave mirror. (Guide: image table; Practice Q4)
- I can use evidence, such as an image on a screen, to justify whether a mirror is concave or convex. (Practice Q7c)
- I can explain why a convex mirror gives a wide field of view. (Guide: Worked example 2)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 13.3, Refraction, or return to the course roadmap.