When you look into a mirror and observe that your image appears upright but smaller than your actual size, what type of mirror are you using?

Introduction / Context:

Spherical mirrors are widely used in daily life, for example as rear view mirrors in vehicles or in shaving mirrors. They can produce images that are larger, smaller, real, or virtual depending on their shape and the object position. This question focuses on identifying which type of mirror forms an upright image that is smaller than the object.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The image seen in the mirror is upright, not inverted.
• The image is smaller than the actual object.
• No special distances are specified, so we consider typical use where the object is in front of the mirror beyond its focal region in a normal viewing situation.

Concept / Approach:

A plane mirror always forms an image that is the same size as the object and upright. A concave mirror can form enlarged upright images when the object is close, or real inverted images when the object is beyond the focal point. A convex mirror, which bulges outward, always forms images that are virtual, upright, and diminished in size, regardless of the exact object distance. This property is why convex mirrors are used as rear view and side mirrors in vehicles, as they give a wider field of view.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

The phrase objects in mirror are closer than they appear seen on vehicle mirrors is usually associated with convex mirrors. These mirrors show a wide scene but with reduced image size. This matches the description of an upright but smaller image. Concave mirrors used as makeup mirrors give enlarged images when the face is within the focal length, not smaller ones.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A: A concave mirror can give either enlarged upright images or inverted images depending on object distance, but in common arrangements it does not give a smaller upright image.

Option C: A plano concave mirror has one flat and one concave surface and would behave similarly to a concave mirror for reflection, not matching the described image size.

Option D: A plane mirror always produces an image of the same size as the object, so it cannot create a smaller image as given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes confuse concave and convex mirrors because of their similar names. A useful memory aid is that convex mirrors spread out light rays and tend to make images appear smaller and farther away, which is what we see in vehicle rear view mirrors. Concave mirrors can concentrate light and are used where magnified images are needed.

Final Answer:

The mirror that produces an upright, smaller image is a convex mirror.