Convex Mirrors

Small shops, roads, and driveway

entrances use curved mirrors similar to
what is shown in the figure. It offers a
wider range of vision and useful for
security.
Cars also use the same type of mirror as
their side view mirrors since they offer a
larger field of view. However, images are
actually closer than they appear in the
mirror
How are images formed in convex mirror? What are the characteristics of the
images formed in such type of mirror?
SPOON-TASTIC MIRROR!

In this activity, you will investigate the kind of image formed

on the back of a spoon, which may be classified as a convex
mirror.

Observe the characteristics of the image (shown in the spoon)

formed from the actual toy. After performing the activity,
answer the guide questions that follow.
Parts of a Curved Mirror

1. Principal Axis – An
imaginary line passing
through the center of the
sphere at the exact
center of the mirror.

The different parts of a curved mirror diagram.

Parts of a Curved Mirror

2. Vertex – The point on

the mirror’s surface
where the principal axis
meets the mirror.

The different parts of a curved mirror diagram.

Parts of a Curved Mirror

3. Curvature (C) – The

point in the center of the
sphere from which the
mirror was sliced.

The different parts of a curved mirror diagram.

Parts of a Curved Mirror

4. Focal point (F) – Halfway

between the center of
curvature and vertex

The different parts of a curved mirror diagram.

Parts of a Curved Mirror

5. Focal length (f) – The

distance between the
vertex and the focal point

The different parts of a curved mirror diagram.

Convex Mirror
• A convex mirror is a curved
mirror wherein the reflecting
surface is bulging towards the
viewer.
• This mirror focuses light away
from the focal point that is why it
The back of a spoon acts
is called diverging mirror. as a convex mirror.
Ray Diagramming
• In order to find where an image will be located if an object is
placed in front of a mirror, a technique called ray
diagramming is used.
• Different rays are used to represent the light rays coming
from the object.
Convex Mirror Ray Diagramming
1. First, a reference ray
starting from the object
going parallel to principal
axis is drawn. It reflects
through the focal point, F
after it hits the mirror. This
is called the principal ray.
Convex Mirror Ray Diagramming
2. The second reference ray
goes through F and then
goes parallel to principal
axis after hitting the
mirror. This is called the
focal ray.
Convex Mirror Ray Diagramming
3. The third reference ray
goes through C then goes
back along itself through C.
This is called the central
ray.
DETERMINE THE LOCATION AND
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IMAGE OF THE ARROW
USING RAY DIAGRAMMING TECHNIQUES IN THE
GIVEN ILLUSTRATION BELOW.
DETERMINE THE LOCATION AND
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IMAGE OF THE ARROW
USING RAY DIAGRAMMING TECHNIQUES IN THE
GIVEN ILLUSTRATION BELOW.

The image is located at the back of

the mirror. It is upright, smaller in
size, and virtual.
Since the F and C of a convex mirror are situated behind the
mirror’s surface, dotted lines are extended along the reflected
rays to points behind the mirror. The intersection of two or
more rays locates the image.
● A convex mirror is a curved mirror wherein the reflecting
surface is on the outer surface of the sphere so that the
center of the mirror bulges towards the viewer.

● Ray diagramming techniques involve the drawing of the

principal ray, focal ray, and the central ray.

● The created images in convex mirrors are always located

behind the mirror—virtual, upright and diminished
(smaller than the object).
Write T if the statement is correct, and F if it is
false.
1. There are usually three rays in ray diagramming for convex
mirrors.
2. Ray diagramming techniques follows the law of reflection
3. In ray diagramming of mirrors, it is assumed that no
refraction will occur.
4. Curved mirrors are mirrors that form a section of a sphere.
5. Convex and concave mirrors form the same characteristics
of images.