Spherical Mirrors

Front

What is a spherical mirror?

Back

A spherical mirror is a mirror with a polished, reflective surface that is part of a hollow sphere of glass or plastic. There are two types: concave and convex.

Front

What is the focal point (F) of a concave mirror?

Back

The focal point (F) of a concave mirror is the point where parallel rays of light converge after reflecting off the mirror.

Front

What happens to light rays that are parallel to the principal axis when they strike a concave mirror?

Back

They reflect through the focal point (F).

Front

What type of image is formed by a concave mirror when the object is beyond the center of curvature (C)?

Back

The image is real, smaller, and inverted.

Front

What type of mirror is used in car side view mirrors?

Back

A convex mirror.

Front

What is the image formed by a convex mirror?

Back

The image is virtual, smaller, and upright.

Front

What happens to light rays that pass through the focal point (F) and hit a concave mirror?

Back

They reflect parallel to the principal axis.

Front

If the object is between the focal point (F) and the mirror, what type of image is formed by a concave mirror?

Back

The image is virtual, larger, and upright.

Front

Can convex mirrors create real images?

Back

No, convex mirrors can only create virtual images.

Front

What is the center of curvature (C) in relation to a spherical mirror?

Back

The center of curvature (C) is the center of the sphere from which the mirror is made.