Is the focal length of a concave mirror positive or negative?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the focal length of a concave mirror is considered positive or negative. This refers to the sign convention used in optics to define the nature of the focal point for different types of mirrors.
Answer
negative
The final answer is negative
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is negative
More Information
The focal length of a concave mirror is considered negative because the focal point is in front of the mirror, on the same side as the incoming light. This follows the sign conventions used in optics.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse concave mirrors with convex mirrors. Remember, concave mirrors converge light and have a negative focal length, whereas convex mirrors diverge light and have a positive focal length.
Sources
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