Convex Mirror
If the cut part of the hollow sphere is painted from the inside, then its outer surface becomes the reflecting surface. This mirror is known as a convex mirror. A spherical mirror having its reflecting surface curved outwards is known to be a convex mirror.
The back of the mirror is shaded so that reflection only takes place from the outward bulged part. The surface of the spoon which bulged outwards can be assumed to be a convex mirror.
It is also known as a diverging mirror as the light after reflecting through its surface diverges in many directions but appears to meet at some points where the virtual, erect image of diminished size is formed.
Properties of Convex Mirror
- A convex or diverging mirror is also known as a diverging mirror as this mirror diverges light when they strike its reflecting surface.
- Virtual, erect, and diminished images are always formed or observed with convex mirrors, irrespective of the distance between the object and the mirror.
Application of Convex Mirror
- Convex mirrors used inside buildings: Large offices, stores, and hospitals use a convex mirror to let people see around the corner so that they can avoid running into each other and prevent any collision.
- The convex mirrors used in vehicles: Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view mirrors in the case of automobiles and vehicles because they can diverge light beams and make virtual images.
- Uses of the convex mirror in a magnifying glass: These mirrors are mostly used for making magnifying glasses. In industries, to construct a magnifying glass, two convex mirrors are placed back to back.
- Convex mirrors used for security purposes: Diverging mirrors are also used for security purposes in many places. They are places near ATMs so that bank customers can check if someone is behind them.
- Convex mirrors are also used in various other places like street light reflectors as they can spread light over bigger areas.
Concave and Convex Mirrors
Mirrors are surfaces that reflect almost all types of incident light rays that hit their surface. The mirror can have either a plane or a curved surface. On this basis, mirrors are divided into two: Spherical Mirrors and Plane Mirrors. Plane mirrors simply mirror having plain and polished reflecting surfaces while Spherical mirrors have curved reflecting surfaces. Based on the curved reflecting surface spherical mirrors are further divided into two: Concave and Convex Mirrors.
In concave mirrors, the reflection takes place from the inner surface of the spherical mirror. The image formed by the concave mirrors is real and inverted. However, in the case of convex mirrors, the reflection takes place from the outer surface of the spherical mirror. The image formed by the convex mirrors is virtual and erect.
Table of contents
- Definition
- Types of Mirror
- Plane Mirror
- Spherical Mirror
- Important Terms of Spherical Mirror
- Type of Spherical Mirror
- Concave Mirror
- Convex Mirror
- Mirror Formula
- Sign Convention for Spherical Mirror
- Solved Examples
- Faqs