Spherical Mirrors Overview

Spherical Mirrors

• Spherical mirrors are reflecting surfaces that are part of a sphere.
• They are classified into two types: concave and convex mirrors.

Types of Spherical Mirrors

• Concave Mirrors: These mirrors have a reflecting surface that curves inward, like the inside of a bowl.
• Convex Mirrors: These mirrors have a reflecting surface that curves outward, like the outside of a bowl.

Image Formation by Spherical Mirrors

• The image formation in spherical mirrors is governed by the laws of reflection.
• Concave Mirrors:
  • Real images are formed when the object is placed beyond the center of curvature.
  • Virtual images are formed when the object is placed between the pole and the focus.
  • The image size can be magnified, diminished, or same size depending on the object's position.
  • The image formed by a concave mirror can be real or virtual, inverted or upright, and enlarged, diminished or the same size.
• Convex Mirrors:
  • Convex mirrors always produce virtual, upright, and diminished images.
  • The image is located behind the mirror.
  • The image size is always smaller than the object.

Applications of Spherical Mirrors

• Concave Mirrors:
  • Used in searchlights, headlamps, and solar furnaces because of their ability to concentrate light.
  • Used in shaving mirrors because they can produce magnified images.
  • Used in dental mirrors, giving a magnified view of the teeth.
  • Used in telescopes for collecting and focusing light from distant objects.
• Convex Mirrors:
  • Used in rearview mirrors of vehicles to provide a wider field of view.
  • Increased field of view comes at the cost of image size.
  • Used in security mirrors in shops and hallways.
  • Used in street corners to prevent collisions if used to monitor street corners.
  • Used as passenger sideview mirrors and to observe traffic at intersections.

Key Properties and Characteristics in Summary

• Concave Mirrors: Can form real or virtual images, with different magnifications depending on placement of the object.
• Convex Mirrors: Always form virtual, diminished, and upright images.
• Understanding the focal point and the center of curvature and the relationship with the object position is crucial for determining characteristics of the formed image.