A light ray passes through the centre of curvature of a convex mirror. What happens to it after reflection?
- AOption (a)
It gets absorbed.
- BOption (b)
It converges at the focus.
- COption (c)
It becomes parallel to the principal axis.
- DOption (d)
It retraces its own path.
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Correct answer
It retraces its own path.
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is It retraces its own path..
Key Points
- Light rays passing through the center of curvature: When a light ray passes through the center of curvature of a convex mirror, it is reflected back along the same path. This is due to the fact that the center of curvature lies on the normal to the mirror's surface, making the angle of incidence and reflection equal to zero.
- Law of Reflection: The phenomenon is explained by the Law of Reflection, which states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Since the ray strikes the mirror perpendicularly at the center of curvature, it retraces its path.
- Convex mirror properties: A convex mirror always diverges light rays. However, when a ray passes through the center of curvature, it behaves as if the mirror is locally flat at that point, leading to the retracing of the light ray.
- Geometrical optics principle: The center of curvature is a specific point on the principal axis equidistant from all points on the mirror's surface. This symmetry ensures that any ray passing through it reflects directly back.
- Hence, the correct answer is It retraces its own path.
Additional Information
- Convex Mirror:
- A convex mirror is a spherical mirror with the reflecting surface bulging outward.
- It is also known as a diverging mirror because it causes light rays to spread out after reflection.
- Convex mirrors are commonly used as rearview mirrors in vehicles due to their wide field of view.
- Center of Curvature:
- The center of curvature is the center of the sphere from which the mirror is a part.
- It lies outside the mirror for both convex and concave mirrors.
- For a convex mirror, the center of curvature is on the side opposite to the reflecting surface.
- Focal Point and Principal Axis:
- The focal point of a convex mirror is the point where reflected rays appear to diverge from. It is located on the principal axis between the mirror and the center of curvature.
- The principal axis is an imaginary line passing through the center of curvature and the pole of the mirror.
- Applications of Convex Mirrors:
- Used in rearview mirrors of vehicles to provide a wider field of view.
- Installed in corridors, parking lots, and blind spots for surveillance and safety purposes.
- Employed in optical devices like telescopes to correct image distortions.
Important Points
- Difference between Convex and Concave Mirrors:
- A convex mirror always forms a virtual, erect, and diminished image irrespective of the object's position.
- In contrast, a concave mirror can form real or virtual images depending on the object's position relative to the focal point and center of curvature.
- Reflection from a Plane Surface:
- When light reflects off a plane mirror, it follows the same fundamental law of reflection as for curved mirrors.
- However, in curved mirrors like convex mirrors, the curvature affects the direction of reflected rays.