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Two plane mirrors are placed parallel to...

Two plane mirrors are placed parallel to each other at a distance L apart.A point object O placed between them, at a distance `L/3` from one mirror.Both mirrors form multiple images.The distance between any two images cannot be

A

`(3L)/(2)`

B

`(2L)/(3)`

C

`2L`

D

None of these

Text Solution

AI Generated Solution

The correct Answer is:
To solve the problem of finding the distance between any two images formed by two parallel mirrors with a point object placed between them, we can follow these steps: ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Identify the Setup**: - We have two plane mirrors (let's call them M1 and M2) placed parallel to each other at a distance \( L \). - A point object \( O \) is placed between the mirrors at a distance \( \frac{L}{3} \) from mirror M1. 2. **Calculate the Position of the First Image**: - The first image \( I_1 \) formed by mirror M1 will be at a distance \( \frac{L}{3} \) behind M1. Thus, the position of \( I_1 \) is: \[ I_1 = -\frac{L}{3} \] 3. **Calculate the Position of the Second Image**: - The image \( I_1 \) acts as an object for mirror M2. The distance from \( I_1 \) to M2 is \( L + \frac{L}{3} = \frac{4L}{3} \). - The second image \( I_2 \) formed by mirror M2 will be at a distance \( \frac{4L}{3} \) behind M2: \[ I_2 = L + \frac{4L}{3} = \frac{7L}{3} \] 4. **Calculate the Position of the Third Image**: - The image \( I_2 \) acts as an object for mirror M1. The distance from \( I_2 \) to M1 is \( L + \frac{7L}{3} = \frac{10L}{3} \). - The third image \( I_3 \) formed by mirror M1 will be at: \[ I_3 = -\left(\frac{10L}{3}\right) = -\frac{10L}{3} \] 5. **Continue Finding Subsequent Images**: - Continuing this process, we find that the images alternate between the two mirrors, and their positions can be calculated similarly. 6. **Calculate Distances Between Images**: - The distances between adjacent images can be calculated: - Distance between \( I_1 \) and \( I_2 \): \[ d_{12} = I_2 - I_1 = \frac{7L}{3} - \left(-\frac{L}{3}\right) = \frac{8L}{3} \] - Distance between \( I_2 \) and \( I_3 \): \[ d_{23} = I_3 - I_2 = -\frac{10L}{3} - \frac{7L}{3} = -\frac{17L}{3} \] 7. **Generalize the Distances**: - The distances between any two adjacent images can be expressed in the form \( d = \frac{2nL}{3} \) where \( n \) is an integer. - The possible distances will be multiples of \( \frac{2L}{3} \). 8. **Conclusion**: - Since the distances between images are multiples of \( \frac{2L}{3} \), the distance between any two images cannot be \( \frac{3L}{2} \) (as this does not fit the form of \( \frac{2nL}{3} \) for any integer \( n \)). ### Final Answer: The distance between any two images cannot be \( \frac{3L}{2} \).
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Knowledge Check

  • Two plane mirrors are placed parallel to each other at a distance L apart . A point object O is placed between them, at a distance L/3 from one mirror . Both mirrors form multiple images. The distance between any 'two images cannot be

    A
    3L/2
    B
    2L/2
    C
    2L
    D
    None of these
  • Two plane mirrors are placed parallel to each other at a distance L apart. A point object O is palced between them at a distance L/3 from one mirror. Both mirrors form multiple images. What cannot be the distance between any two image?

    A
    `(3L)/2`
    B
    `(2L)/3`
    C
    `2L`
    D
    None of these
  • When the two plane mirror are parallel to each other, then the number of images of an object placed between them is

    A
    2
    B
    3
    C
    4
    D
    Infinity
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