Concave and convex mirrors are two out of three types mirror. The significant difference between concave and convex mirrors is that a concave mirror possesses a cave-like structure as its surface is curved in an inward direction. As against, a convex mirror has an outward bulged structure as its reflecting surface. Due to structural variation, concave and convex mirrors possess differences in the properties displayed by them.
1. Convex Mirror : Convex mirrors are diverging mirrors. The same point reflects off and moves in a different direction.
Mirrors are regarded as reflective surfaces from where the falling light from the object gets bounced off thereby producing real or virtual images. A ray of light is unable to pass through a mirror.
Basis for Comparison | Convex Mirror | Concave Mirror |
Also called | Converging mirror | Diverging mirror |
Reflecting surface | Real and inverter or virtual and erect | Always virtual and erect |
Focus and Centre of curvature | In Front mirror | Behind the mirror |
Projection | Can be done on the screen | Cannot be done on the screen |
Focal length | Positive | Negative |
Image Formation by Concave Mirror: By changing the position of the object from the concave mirror, different types of images can be formed. Various types of images are produced when the object is placed:
At the infinity
Beyond the Centre of curvature
At the Centre of curvature
Between the Centre of curvature and principal focus
At the principal focus
Between the principal focus and pole
Image Formation by Convex Mirror: An image which is formed by a convex mirror is always erect and virtual, whatever be the point of the object. Here, let us look at the types of images formed by a convex mirror.
When an object is pointed at infinity, a virtual image is formed at the focus. The size of the image is much smaller as compared to that of the object.
When an object is placed at a finite distance from the mirror, a virtual image is formed between the pole and focus of the convex mirror. The size of the image is smaller as compared to that of the object.
Plane mirrors and convex mirrors only produce virtual images. Only a concave mirror is capable of creating a real image and this only occurs if the object is situated at a greater distance than the focal length of the mirror’s surface.
The image formed in a convex mirror is always virtual and erect, whatever be the position of the object. In this section, let us look at the types of images formed by a convex mirror. When an object is located at infinity, a virtual image is created at the focus point.
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