Spherical Mirrors Flashcards
(
Convex mirror
)
Concave mirror
Convex mirrors
Diverge light rays
Concave mirrors
Converge light rays
What is a centre of curvature?
The centre of the “sphere”
What is the pole?
Where the principal axis intersects the mirror
What is the focal point?
The point halfway between the centre of curvature and the pole
What is the focal length?
The distance between the pole and focal point (f)
What is the object distance?
The distance between the object and mirror (u)
What is the image distance?
The distance between the image and the mirror (v)
If an incoming ray hits the pole…
…it will reflect at angle r equal to angle i
If a ray passes through the focal point…
…it will reflect back parallel
If a ray comes in parallel…
…it will reflect back through the focal point
If a ray comes into the centre of curvature…
…it will reflect back along its original path
An object outside the centre of curvature is…
Real, inverted and diminished
An object at the centre of curvature is…
Real, inverted and same size
An object between the centre of curvature and focal point is…
Real, inverted and magnified
An object at the focal point is…
At infinity, there is no image
An object between the focal point and pole is…
Virtual, upright and magnified
Name some uses of concave mirrors.
Vanity, shaving and dental mirrors, floodlights, searchlights and projectors
All images in a convex mirror are…
Virtual, upright and diminished
Name some uses of a convex mirror.
Wing mirrors on cars, mirrors on concealed junctions and shop aisles
