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.
Important Questions from Refraction and Reflection
A convex lens of focal length f will form a magnified real image of an object, if the object is placed.
A ray of light travelling in the direction \(\frac{1}{2} (\hat i + \sqrt 3 \hat j)\) is incident on a plane mirror. After reflection it travels along the direction \(\frac{1}{2} (\hat i - \sqrt 3 \hat j)\) The angle of incidence is:
Twinkling of stars is due to atmospheric
An optical fibre has a core material of refractive index of 1.55 and cladding material of refractive index of 1.50. The numerical aperture of the fibre is
- The refracting angle of a prism is $A$. The refractive index of the material of the prism is $\frac{1+\cos A}{\sin A}$. The angle of minimum deviation is:
