SPHERICAL MIRRORS

    

    A mirror whose reflecting surface is a part of a hollow sphere of glass is known as a spherical mirror.

    Spherical mirrors are of two types :

CONCAVE MIRROR    

 

     A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface is towards the centre of the sphere (i.e. inside the mirror) of which the mirror is a part. i.e. the reflection of light takes place at the concave surface (or bent-in-surface). As a concave mirror converges the parallel beam of light falling on it, therefore, it is also called a converging mirror. [figure 1]

Concave mirror

Figure 1

CONVEX MIRROR

 

    A convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface is away from the centre of the sphere (i.e. bulging out) of which mirror is a part i.e. reflection of light occurs at convex surface or the bulging out surface. As a convex mirror diverges the parallel beam of light falling on it, therefore it is also called a diverging mirror. [figure 2]

Convex mirror

Figure 2