Physical Science 20 Curved Mirror Laser Lab

Procedure:
 Curved mirror: position on the counter so it is curved and solid in place. This can also be
done while mirror is on its side as well.
 Lasers: fix 3 lasers parallel to each other on a cardboard or notebook with tape.
 Smoke machine: allows us to see the lasers
 Find the focus of the curved mirror using the lasers.
 Find the focal plane by altering angle of 3 lasers (so the beams are NOT parallel with
Principal Axis)
 Explore spherical aberration near the edges of the curved mirror. Can you see this
displayed?
 Use the convex mirror to explore how parallel rays behave when striking this type of
mirror.
 
Report:
1. Sketch carefully your experiment and identify the focus and focal length of your concave
mirror on your diagram.
2. Show on your diagram the focal plane and how you were able to find it.
3. Sketch the convex mirror and show the behaviour of the beams of light when reflecting
from this mirror.
4. Name and describe one other aspect of curved mirrors that can be explored here?? Check
with your teacher then explore and report on your findings.