The image of an object placed at a point A before a plane mirror LM is seen at the point B by an observer at D,
The image of an object placed at a point A before a plane mirror LM is seen at the point B by an observer at D, as shown in the figure. Prove that the image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror.
Given: An object is placed at a point A, the image of the object is seen at the point B, an observer is at point D, and LM is a plane mirror.
To Prove: The image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of the mirror, i.e. BT = AT.
Proof:
$\because L M$ is a plane mirror
$\therefore i=r$ (Angle of incidence is always equal to angle of reflection) .....(1)
Also, $A B \| C N$ (Both AB and CN are perpendicular to LM)
$\Rightarrow \angle T A C=\angle A C N=i$ (Alternate interior angles) .....(2)
And, $\angle C B T=\angle N C D=r$ (Corresponding angles) .....(3)
From (1), (2) and (3), we get
$\angle T A C=\angle C B T$ ...............(4)
Now,
In $\Delta T A C$ and $\Delta C B T$,
$\angle T A C=\angle C B T \quad[$ From $(4)]$
$\angle A T C=\angle B T C=90^{\circ}$
$C T=C T \quad$ (Common side)
$\therefore$ By AAS congruence criteria,
$\Delta T A C \cong \Delta C B T$
Hence, AT = BT (CPCT)