A convex mirror is used to form an image of a real object. Which of the following statements about the image are correct?

Introduction / Context:
Convex mirrors are commonly used in vehicles as rear view mirrors and at road junctions because of their special image forming properties. This question tests your understanding of the characteristics of the image formed by a convex mirror when the object is real and placed in front of the mirror. Knowing these properties is important in basic geometrical optics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reflecting surface is convex, bulging outward toward the object.
• The object is real and placed in front of the convex mirror.
• Standard sign conventions for spherical mirrors apply.
• We have several statements about the image and must decide which are correct.

Concept / Approach:
For a convex spherical mirror, irrespective of the position of a real object along the principal axis, the image has certain fixed qualitative features. The image formed is always virtual (behind the mirror), upright or erect, and diminished in size compared to the object. Moreover, its position is always between the pole (the central point on the mirror surface) and the focus of the mirror. By recalling the ray diagrams and mirror formula, we can check which statements in the options match these known properties.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that convex mirrors always form virtual images of real objects, and these images appear behind the mirror. Step 2: Because the image is virtual, it is also erect, meaning it has the same orientation as the object and is not inverted. Step 3: For any object position in front of a convex mirror, the image size is smaller than the object, so it is diminished. Step 4: Ray diagrams show that the image position is located between the pole of the mirror and its focal point on the reflected side. Step 5: Therefore, all three given statements (diminished size, erect image and location between pole and focus) are correct, so the correct composite option is “All of the above.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Using the mirror formula 1 / f = 1 / v + 1 / u with a positive focal length for a convex mirror (when using the sign convention where distances measured opposite to incident light are negative) always leads to an image distance behind the mirror, that is, v is positive for convex mirrors. This means the image is virtual and erect. Calculations for different object distances u show that the magnification m = v / u is less than 1 in magnitude, indicating a reduced image. Graphical ray constructions also confirm that the image lies between the pole and the focus. All these checks agree with the qualitative statements above.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
It is diminished in size: This is true but incomplete as an answer because the question asks which description is fully correct; other true statements also exist.
It is erect: Also true, but again only part of the full description.
It always lies between the pole and the focus: This is correct, yet not the only true property. The best answer must include all true properties together, which is option D.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students mix up the properties of convex and concave mirrors. For concave mirrors, image properties change drastically depending on object distance, but for convex mirrors the behaviour is more uniform. Another confusion is thinking that “virtual” automatically means “same size,” which is not true here because the convex mirror produces a smaller image. Always link the type of mirror to a standard set of properties learned from ray diagrams.

Final Answer:
The image formed by a convex mirror of a real object is diminished, erect and located between the pole and the focus, so the correct choice is All of the above.