Which device forms an image that appears smaller and farther away?

Which device forms an image that appears smaller and farther away?

• A. Concave mirror
• B. Plane mirror
• C. Concave lens
• D. Convex mirror

Answer: (D)

A convex mirror always creates a virtual image that is smaller than the object and appears to be located behind the mirror. The reflected rays diverge, and when you trace them backward, they seem to come from a point behind the surface, giving a diminished, upright image that seems farther away. The other options don’t fit this description: a plane mirror produces an image the same size as the object at the same distance behind the mirror; a concave mirror can produce real or virtual images that can be larger, smaller, upright or inverted depending on object distance; a concave lens (diverging lens) produces a virtual, smaller image on the same side as the object, not a smaller image that appears farther away.

A convex mirror always creates a virtual image that is smaller than the object and appears to be located behind the mirror. The reflected rays diverge, and when you trace them backward, they seem to come from a point behind the surface, giving a diminished, upright image that seems farther away.

The other options don’t fit this description: a plane mirror produces an image the same size as the object at the same distance behind the mirror; a concave mirror can produce real or virtual images that can be larger, smaller, upright or inverted depending on object distance; a concave lens (diverging lens) produces a virtual, smaller image on the same side as the object, not a smaller image that appears farther away.