(II) An object 4.0 mm high is placed 18 cm from a convex mirror of radius of curvature 18 cm.

(a) Show by ray tracing that the image is virtual, and estimate the image distance.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Draw a ray diagram: Start by drawing the convex mirror as a curved line with the center of curvature (C) and the focal point (F) marked. The focal point is half the radius of curvature, so F is 9 cm from the mirror. Place the object 18 cm from the mirror on the principal axis.
2. Draw the principal ray: This ray travels parallel to the principal axis from the top of the object towards the mirror. After reflecting, it diverges as if it were coming from the focal point on the same side as the object.
3. Draw the center of curvature ray: This ray travels from the top of the object through the center of curvature and reflects back on itself.
4. Locate the image: Since the reflected rays diverge, extend them backward on the object's side of the mirror. The point where these extended rays appear to meet is the location of the virtual image.
5. Estimate the image distance and characteristics: Measure the distance from the mirror to the point where the extended rays meet. This distance is the image distance. The image will be upright, reduced in size, and virtual because it forms on the same side of the mirror as the object.