Curved Spherical Mirrors

Concave Mirror

The paraxial (close to axis) beam of light is parallel to the axis, after reflection converges at F; when the Laws of reflection are applied to small parts at M and N, they are considered as flat or plane surfaces.

Image formation in concave mirror

The ray diagram will be drawn as follows :

(i) A ray incident and parallel to axis will reflect through focus.
(ii) A ray incident through focus will reflect parallel to the axis.
(iii) A ray incident through center of curvature will reflect backwards along the same path.

Index

Light

16.1 Laws of Reflection at plane surfaces
16.2 Mirrors
16.3 Laws of Refraction at plane surfaces, Refractive Index and Critical Angle
16.4 Refraction at curved spherical surfaces and Lens maker’s formula
16.5 Lenses
16.6 Refraction in Prisms, Prism Formula
16.7 Dispersion of Light, Angular Dispersion and Dispersive Power
16.8 Optical Instruments and Magnifying Power

Chapter 17