Image Formation by Convex Mirror

A convex mirror is commonly used in vehicle rear-view mirrors, streetlights, and large retail stores. The image formed by a convex mirror typically appears between the mirror's vertex and its focal point. Convex mirrors always produce virtual images, meaning the image cannot be projected onto a screen. To determine the position of an image formed by a convex mirror, we use a ray parallel to the principal axis and an incident ray upon the center of the mirror. These rays reflect off the mirror, and by tracing back the reflected rays, the position of the virtual image can be constructed. The virtual image that is formed will appear smaller and closer to the mirror than the actual object.