concave and convex

concave mirror

a mirrors whose reflection surface curves inwards

another name for concave

converging

convex mirror

a mirror whose reflecting surface curves outwards

another name for convex

diverging

center of curvature (C)

center of a sphere whose surface has been used as a mirror

\
C=2f

principal axis (P.A.)

the line through C that passes through the midpoint of the mirror (normal to the center of the mirror)

vertex (V)

the point where the principal axis meet the mirror

Focal Point (F)

• is halfway between the vertex and the center of curvature

• when parallel light rays are show along the P.A., the reflected rays converge and cross at the focal point

Focal Length (f)

the distance from the focal point to the vertex

converge

to meet at a common point

Rules for drawing ray diagrams for curved mirrors

1. parallel rays are reflected through F

2. rays passing through F are reflected parallel to the P.A.

3. rays passing through C are reflected back along the same path

4. rays striking V follow the laws of reflection

what are the laws of reflection

angle of incidence = angle of reflection

Real image

images when reflected rays converge in front of the mirror

virtual image

images when reflected rays diverge but can be traced back to converge behind the mirror

concave possibilities (e.g. object beyond C)

1. object beyond center of circumference

2. object between C and F

3. object at center of circumference

4. object at F

5. object between F and mirror