Q. What are the common uses of convex mirrors?

A. To provide a greater view of the entire area, convex mirrors are typically mounted in the halls
of schools, apartments, hotels, and hospitals. Additionally, these spherical mirrors are utilized in
driveways, alleyways, and roadways to give vehicles a wider perspective at intersections, curves,
and other points where sight is poor.
Q. Explain the image formation by the convex mirror.
A. For forming an image of an object, draw a ray that is parallel to the principal axis. It will
diverge in a direction as per the law of reflection. The ray pointed in the direction of the
curvature's center will return in that same direction. Both the divergent rays will not meet after the
reflection.If we extend these rays behind the mirror, A virtual and decreased image will form
between the pole and the mirror's focus as shown in the figure.

Q. What are the general uses of concave mirrors?

A. Light reflected by concave mirrors focused inward to a point. As a result, they primarily serve
to focus light. Depending on how close an object is to the concave mirror, multiple kinds of
images appear. The concave mirror can be used in following purposes such as Shaving mirrors,
Ophthalmoscope, Astronomical telescopes, Headlights, Solar furnaces.
Q. What are the laws of reflection? Is it applicable to convex mirrors?
A. Laws of reflection are applied for all mirrors including convex mirrors. According to the law of
reflection the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection and the incident ray, reflected
ray and the normal to the surface are in the same plane.
Q. What kind of visual field does a convex mirror have?
A. This concave mirror has a wider range of view than a regular plane mirror because everything
seems smaller in it.
Q. Why are convex mirrors used in cars?
A. Car rear-view mirrors are made of convex glass because of the larger field of view provided by
these rearview mirrors which enables the drivers to see the traffic in their rearview mirror.
Q. Convex mirror forms real images true or false?
A. False. Convex mirror never forms real images; it always forms virtual, diminished and erect
images.
Q. Why do blind turns employ convex mirrors?
A. Convex mirrors are used to protect drivers on highways and in streets where there is a blind
spot or when there is little view for the driver.

Convex mirror
Convex mirrors are spherical mirrors having a painted inner surface and a reflecting outer
surface. Convex mirror is also known as a diverging mirror. Because all rays striking on its
surface appear to diverge from a single point. An image produced by a convex mirror is virtual
because the center and focus of curvature are fictitious points inside the mirror and cannot be
reached.

Characteristics of Convex mirror

The convex mirror has following characteristics

1. Regardless of how far away an object is from a convex mirror, it always creates a virtual,
erect, and diminished image.
2. The light rays diverge as they strike a convex mirror reflecting surface.
3. Since the light rays always diverge after colliding, convex mirrors cannot focus the light ray
toward a specific point.

Uses of convex mirrors

Convex mirrors have a reflecting surface that extends outward in the direction of the light source.
The extended surface reflects light in all directions and the image is created in the mirror.
Consequently, it is impossible to project the image onto a screen. Convex mirrors are still useful
in many aspects of daily life. Some of them are discuss below,

1. Rear-view mirrors in vehicles - Rear-view mirrors on vehicles like cars, buses, motorbikes,
etc., employ convex mirrors. The diver can inspect the vehicles and oncoming traffic in their
rearview mirrors. Additionally, it allows the driver to see big things, like trucks and buses, up
close.
2. Road safety - Convex mirrors are put as part of traffic safety infrastructure at intersections
and at corners where roads bend sharply. People and drivers can carefully check for any
obstacles and prevent accidents by using such mirrors.

3. ATMs - The tops of the ATMs are often covered with convex mirrors. This arrangement of the
mirror enables the withdrawer to see if the user behind them is looking at their ATM Pin or
other crucial information. Additionally, the withdrawer can use a convex mirror to see who is
standing behind them.
4. Parking Lots - The parking lots also make use of convex mirrors. By monitoring the
automobiles behind them, the concave mirrors in the parking lot assist drivers in parking their
cars correctly.
5. At intersections and corners - Large warehouses, offices, and hospitals mostly have
numerous corners and crossroads where individuals frequently collide with one another.
Convex mirrors may be placed at these junctions and corners. People can see well around
curves due to these mirrors, which helps to avoid collisions and bumping into one another.
6. Security - Supermarkets, big stores, and expansive warehouses typically use convex mirrors.
They exist solely to stop theft and other crimes in these places. The mirrors are either
mounted on walls or put on shelves to provide a clear view of the products from all
directions.

7. Street light - A convex mirror can disperse light over a large surface area. Due to this the
Convex mirrors are used as street light reflectors. Light source such as a bulb is placed in
front of the mirror. When light rays fall on the mirror, After the reflection from the mirror it
spreads over the area.
 You are provided with a concave mirror, a convex mirror, a concave lens and a convex lens. To
obtain an enlarged image of an object you can use either
(a) concave mirror or convex mirror.
(b) concave mirror or convex lens.
(c) concave mirror or concave lens.
(d) concave lens or convex lens.
Concave mirror or convex lens can be used to produce an enlarged image of an object.

Convex Lens Concave Lens

Co Convex lenses are thicker at the centre and taper at their A concave lens has an inward curve in the
edges centre which makes the edges look thicker.

TT They are also called converging lenses, as they converge the Also called diverging lenses, as they
parallel beam of light that passes through them. diverge the incident parallel beam of light.

It The image formed in a convex lens can The image formed in a concave
be small or large in size. The image lens is virtual, upright, and small
formed is real and inverted. in size.

Magnifying the image Used in Flashlights and Torches

Concave Mirror Convex Mirror

Concave Mirrors have
a reflecting curved surface bent Convex Mirrors have a reflecting
inwards which means it faces the surface curved outwards.
centre of the sphere.

It is also known as Converging

It is also known as Diverging Mirror.
Mirror.

The mirror coating of concave

The mirror coating of a convex mirror is
mirror is on the outer side of the
on the inner side of the spherical surface.
spherical surface.

The centre of curvature and the The centre of curvature and the reflecting
reflecting surface fall on the same surface fall on the opposite side of the
side of the mirror. mirror.

The focus lies in front of the

The focus lies behind the mirror and
mirror and the focal length is
the focal length is positive.
negative.

The image formed is real,

inverted, and enlarged (except
The image formed is virtual, erect, and
when the object is between P and
diminished.
F where the image is virtual,
erect, and enlarged).

The image can be projected on a Images cannot be projected on a screen

screen as they are real in nature. as they are virtual.

They are used in

They are used as side views or rearview
reflecting telescopes, shaving
mirrors in vehicles as they cover a wider
mirrors, torchlights, etc. as they
area of view.
give a magnified image of objects.