Question
How can you identify a concave and a convex mirror based on the direction of their reflecting surfaces?
The correct answer is
A concave mirror has its reflecting surface curved inward; a convex mirror has its reflecting surface curved outward.
Identifying Mirrors by Reflecting Surface Direction
The primary way to distinguish between concave and convex mirrors is by observing the direction in which their reflecting surfaces are curved.
- Concave Mirror: The reflecting surface curves inward, like the inside of a spoon. This shape causes parallel light rays to converge at a focal point.
- Convex Mirror: The reflecting surface curves outward, like the back of a spoon. This shape causes parallel light rays to diverge, appearing to originate from a focal point behind the mirror.
Therefore, a mirror with a surface curving inward is concave, and one with a surface curving outward is convex.
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Important Questions from Refraction and Reflection
- Stars appear to twinkle in the night sky because ______.
What type of image is always formed by a concave lens, no matter where the object is placed?
- Which of the following is NOT caused by atmospheric refraction?
- According to the sign convention, the height of an erect image formed by a mirror is taken as:
In the case of a convex mirror, a ray parallel to the principal axis after reflection appears to diverge from:
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