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A convex mirror is a spherical reflecting surface that bulges towards the source of light. Uses of convex mirrors are divergence of light beams in rearview mirrors, magnifying glasses, and sunglasses. Convex mirror is also known as a curved mirror. When the light gets reflected off its surface, the mirror diverges the light. Convex mirror uses are in places where big objects are required to be visible in smaller areas.
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Key Terms: Convex Mirror, Spherical Mirrors, Dovergng Mirrors, Diverging Mirror, Light, Reflection, Concave Mirror
What is Convex Mirror?
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Convex mirrors are spherical mirrors that have a reflective outer surface and a painted inner surface. A convex mirror is also referred to as a diverging mirror because the focus of all the rays falling on its surface seems to be diverging from one point.
An image formed by the convex mirror is virtual because the centre and focus of curvature are imaginary points inside the mirror and cannot be reached. They are majorly used to see big objects in a smaller area.
| Uses of convex mirror include:
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Image Formed by Convex Mirror
The characteristics of the image formed by a convex mirror are:
- The image formed cannot be projected onto a screen.
- The image appears to be smaller than the object that is projected, but it becomes larger as the object moves towards the convex mirror.
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What are the Characteristics of Convex Mirrors?
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Characteristics of convex mirrors are:
- Convex mirrors only form virtual and erect images.
- The images formed are smaller in size than the actual object.
- They display bigger objects in a smaller size.
Image Formation by Convex Mirror
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What are the Uses of Convex Mirror?
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Convex mirrors are used inside buildings like stores, hospitals, and large offices. They are used as street light reflectors. They are used to form magnifying glasses. Common uses of convex mirrors are:
| Uses of Convex Mirror | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotels, Hospitals, Apartments, Schools, etc | The convex mirror is placed at the corner so that people avoid running into each other to prevent any accidents. They provide a wider view of the area and give a view of the people coming from the other side. |
| Vehicle Mirrors | They are mostly used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles and automobiles. This is done to make virtual images and diverging light beams. |
| Making of Magnifying Glasses as they diverge light | Two convex mirrors are kept back to back in order to create a magnifying glass. |
| Security Purposes (ATMs, Malls, Roads, etc) | They are used in ATMs so that people who are using ATMs can check if there is any person behind them. |
| Street Light Reflectors to Spread Light in Large Areas | They are used in making ceiling dome mirrors, street lamps, and telescopes. |
| Sunglasses | The convex mirror in the sunglasses reflects the sunlight and shields it from reaching the eyes. This method helps protect our eyes from immediate contact with sunlight. |
| Parking Spaces, Alleys, Roads, Driveways | These mirrors help to look out for any incoming vehicles from behind or traffic. The objects in the convex mirror appear nearer than they are in reality. This is so done to avoid a collision. |
Things to Remember
- A convex mirror is a spherical reflecting surface that bulges towards the light source.
- They only form virtual and erect images.
- The convex mirrors are used in places where objects are required to be viewed in smaller areas.
- The uses of convex mirrors are: In the hallway of buildings to avoid collisions, In sunglasses to reflect sunlight, To produce magnifying glasses, In vehicles as rearview mirrors, To ensure safety and privacy in ATMs, Malls, and roads
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Sample Questions
Ques: Out of convex mirror and concave mirror, whose focus is situated behind the mirror? (1 Mark)
Ans: The focus of the convex mirror is situated behind the mirror.
Ques: Why do we prefer a convex mirror as a rearview mirror in vehicles? (1 Mark)
Ans: Convex mirror can provide a wider range of view and give an erect and diminished image. Hence it is used as a rearview mirror in vehicles.
Ques: Which mirror has a wider field of view? (1 Mark)
Ans: Convex mirror has a wider field of view.
Ques: Which type of mirror is usually used as a rearview mirror in motor cars? (1 Mark)
Ans: Convex mirrors are usually used as a rearview mirrors in motor cars.
Ques: What kind of mirrors are used in big shopping centres to watch the activities of the customers? (1 Mark)
Ans: Convex mirrors are used in big shopping centres to watch the activities of the customers.
Ques: (i) What type of images are produced by the convex mirror? (2 Marks)
(ii) What type of mirror is used in street lights?
Ans: (i) Virtual images.
(ii) The type of mirror that is used in street lights is a convex mirror.
Ques: If the focal length of a convex mirror is 25 cm, what is its radius of curvature. (3 Marks)
Ans: Given that: Focal length (f) = 25 cm
Radius of curvature (R) =?
We know that
f = R/2
25 = R/2
R = 25 x 2
R = 50 cm.
Ques: What are the uses of Convex Mirror? Explain the reason behind the application of convex mirror. (2 Marks)
Ans: Some of the convex mirror uses are:
- They are used as a rearview mirror in vehicles because it provides a wider field of view and forms erect and diminished images of the objects.
- They are used as security mirrors in shops so that a large number of goods that are displayed in the shop can be seen in the mirror.
- Convex mirror applications can also be done in sunglasses.
Ques: Name the two types of spherical mirrors. What type of mirror is represented by: (5 Marks)
(a) the backside of a shining steel spoon?
(b) the front side of a shining steel spoon?
Ans: Two types of spherical mirrors are:
- Concave mirror
- Convex mirror
Type of mirror represented by the:
- Backside of a shining steel spoon – convex mirror
- Frontside of a shining steel spoon – concave mirror
Ques: (a) What is meant by (i) principal focus of a convex mirror, and (ii) focal length of a convex mirror? (2 Marks)
(b) Draw a diagram to show the action of a convex mirror on a beam of parallel light rays. Mark on this diagram the principal axis, focus F, the centre of curvature C, pole P and focal length ƒ, of the convex mirror.
Ans: (a) (i) Principal focus of a convex mirror: It is a point on its principal axis from which a beam of light rays appears to diverge after being reflected from the convex mirror.
(ii) Focal length of a concave mirror: The focal length of a convex mirror is the distance from the pole (P) to its principal focus (F).
Ques: Describe with a suitable diagram, how a convex mirror diverges a parallel beam of light rays. Mark clearly the pole, focus and centre of curvature of the convex mirror in this diagram. (2 Marks)
Ans: The light rays which are parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror diverge from the principal focus (F) after being reflected from the mirror.
Ques: Which of the following are concave mirrors and which convex mirrors? (5 Marks)
Shaving mirrors, Car headlight mirror, Searchlight mirror, Driving mirror, Dentist’s inspection mirror, Torch mirror, Staircase mirror in a double-decker bus, Make-up mirror, Solar furnace mirror, Satellite TV dish, Shop security mirror.
Ans: They can be identified as:
- Shaving mirror – concave mirror.
- Car headlight mirror – concave mirror.
- Searchlight mirror – concave mirror.
- Driving mirror – convex mirror.
- Dentist’s inspection mirror – concave mirror.
- Torch mirror – concave mirror.
- Staircase mirror in a double-decker bus – convex mirror.
- Make-up mirror – concave mirror.
- Solar furnace mirror – concave mirror.
- Satellite TV dish – concave mirror.
- Shop security mirror – convex mirror.
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