The

Concave Mirror
 Concave Mirros
• A concave mirror, or converging mirror, has a
reflecting surface that is recessed inward (away from
the incident light).
• Concave mirrors reflect light inward to one focal
point. They are used to focus light. Unlike convex
mirrors, concave mirrors show different image types
depending on the distance between the object and the
mirror.
 Concave Mirrors
• These mirrors are called "converging mirrors" because
they tend to collect light that falls on them, refocusing
parallel incoming rays toward a focus. This is because
the light is reflected at different angles at different
spots on the mirror as the normal to the mirror surface
differs at each spot.
Ray Diagram of
Concave Mirrors
 Ray Diagram of Concave Mirrors
To draw these diagrams, we will have to recall the two
rules of reflection for concave mirrors:
• Any incident ray traveling parallel to the principal axis on
the way to the mirror will pass through the focal
point upon reflection.
• Any incident ray passing through the focal point on the
way to the mirror will travel parallel to the principal
axis upon reflection.
 Ray Diagram of Concave Mirrors
Step 1. Pick a point on the top of the object
and draw two incident rays traveling towards
the mirror.
Using a straight edge, accurately draw one
ray so that it passes exactly through the focal
point on the way to the mirror. Draw the
second ray such that it travels exactly
parallel to the principal axis. Place
arrowheads upon the rays to indicate their
direction of travel.
 Ray Diagram of Concave Mirrors
Step 2. Once these incident
rays strike the mirror, reflect
them according to the two
rules of reflection for concave
mirrors.
 Ray Diagram of Concave Mirrors
Step 3. The image point of the
top of the object is the point
where the two reflected rays
intersect. If your were to draw
a third pair of incident and
reflected rays, then the third
reflected ray would also pass
through this point.
 Ray Diagram of Concave Mirrors
Step 4. Repeat the process for
the bottom of the object.
Cases of the
Ray Diagram of
Concave Mirrors
 Case 1. The object is placed beyond
infinity
When an object is
placed at infinity, a real
image is formed at the
focus. The size of the
image is much smaller
compared to that of the
object.
 Case 2. Behind the center of curvature
When an object is
placed behind the center
of curvature, a real
image is formed
between the center of
curvature and focus.
The size of the image is
smaller than compared
to that of the object.
 Case 3. At the center of curvature
When an object is
placed at the center of
curvature and focus, the
real image is formed at
the center of curvature.
The size of the image is
the same as compared to
that of the object.
 Case 4. Between the center of curvature
and the focal point
When an object is
placed in between the
center of curvature and
focus, the real image is
formed behind the
center of curvature. The
size of the image is
smaller than compared
to that of the object.
 Case 5. At the focal point
When an object is
placed at the focus, the
real image is formed at
infinity. The size of the
image is much larger
than compared to that of
the object.