Concave and Convex Mirrors - Physics Study Guide

Concave & Convex Mirrors
TWO TYPES OF SPHERICAL MIRRORS:
● Concave
● Convex

CONCAVE MIRRORS
● Mirrors that are curved inward in the middle
● Converging ; reflected rays meet at a single point

CONVEX MIRRORS
● Mirrors that have reflective surfaces that curve outward
● Diverging ; reflected rays spread out & never come to a focus




TERMS:

Center of Curvature (C)
● Center of the sphere from where the mirror is taken

Vertex (V)
● Center of the mirror ; aka. pole of the mirror

, Radius of Curvature (R)
● Radius of the sphere; between C and V

Principal Axis / Optical Axis
● Straight line joining C and V

Aperture (AB)
● Width of the mirror

Principal Focus (F)
● Point where reflected rays meet [concave mirrors]
● Point where reflected rays seem to come from behind [convex mirrors]

Focal Length (f)
● Distance from F and V




CHARACTERISTICS OF CONVEX MIRROR IMAGES:
1. Virtual image
2. Upright
3. Smaller objects

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCAVE MIRROR IMAGES:
1. Can produce real/virtual images depending on the distance between mirror & object
2. May be larger than, same size as, or smaller than the object