Physics
Which are the two convenient rays that are chosen to construct the image formed by a spherical mirror for a given object? Explain with the help of suitable ray diagrams.
Answer
The two convenient rays that are chosen to construct the image formed by a spherical mirror for a given object are:
(i) A ray that passes through the center of curvature — A line joining the centre of curvature to any point on the surface of mirror is normal to the mirror at that point, therefore a ray AD passing through the center of curvature C (or appearing to pass through through the centre of curvature C) is incident normally on the spherical mirror.
Since it's angle of incidence is zero, therefore the angle of reflection will also be zero and the ray AD gets reflected along it's own path DA as shown below:
(ii) A ray parallel to the principal axis — A ray of light AD incident parallel to the principal axis, after reflection passes either through the focus F(in a concave mirror) or will appear to come from the focus F (in a convex mirror) along DB as shown below:
Related Questions
Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image of an object placed at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror. State the position, size and nature of the image.
Complete the following diagrams in Fig. 5.42 by drawing the reflected rays for the incident rays 1 and 2 if F is the focus and C is the centre of curvature.
Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of the image of an object placed beyond the centre of curvature of a concave mirror. State the position, size and nature of the image.
The diagrams (Fig. 5.41) given below show two parallel rays 1 and 2 incident on:
(a) a concave mirror,
(b) a convex mirror.
Draw the reflected rays and mark the focus by the symbol F.
