Curved Mirrors

• Don’t produce images that are identical to object

Types of curved mirrors:

• Concave: mirror with reflective surface that curves inwards

• Convex: mirror with reflective surface that curves outwards

Concave Mirror:

• Incoming parallel light rays converge at focal point

• Characteristics of image depends on location of object is compared to mirror & focal point

Convex Mirror:

• Incoming parallel light rays diverge after reflected off mirror

• Extending reflected rays show that they meet at a focal point

• Reflected rays don’t meet, virtual image created

Uses of concave mirrors:

• Used to concentrate light

• Light source located exactly at focal point

• Produces intense beam of light

• Used in car headlights, flashlights

Uses of convex mirrors:

• Reflect light from large incoming area

• More objects can be seen

• Images appear are distorted, especially around edges

• Used for security/safety purposes in stores, parking lots, atms or hospitals