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  1. Glossary
  2. /Physics
  3. /Spherical Mirror

What is Spherical Mirror?

In short

A spherical mirror is a mirror whose reflecting surface is part of a sphere. A concave mirror curves inwards and converges light, and a convex mirror curves outwards and spreads light out.

In simple words

The centre of the sphere is the centre of curvature CCC, and the distance from the mirror to CCC is the radius of curvature RRR. The focus FFF lies halfway between the mirror and CCC, so f=R2f = \dfrac{R}{2}f=2R​. A concave mirror can form real or virtual images. A convex mirror always forms a smaller, upright, virtual image, which is why it is used as a car's rear-view mirror.

Example

A concave mirror has a radius of curvature of 40 cm40\ \text{cm}40 cm. Its focal length is f=40 cm2=20 cmf = \dfrac{40\ \text{cm}}{2} = 20\ \text{cm}f=240 cm​=20 cm.

Also searched as: concave mirror, convex mirror, spherical mirrors.

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Related terms

  • Mirror Formula
  • Angle of Reflection
  • Lens Formula

← All glossary terms

Learn it in

  1. Reflection and MirrorsClass 9 to 10
  2. Reflection and Refraction of LightClass 11 to 12
All lessons on this topic →

Practise

  1. A ball lens is a glass sphere of refractive index 1.60 and radius 1.5 mm…Hard
  2. A solid glass sphere (n = 1.50) of radius 6.0 cm has a tiny air bubble inside…Medium
The end of a long glass rod (n = 1.50) is ground into a convex surface of radius 3.0 cm…Easy
  • A step-index optical fibre has a core of refractive index 1.62 and a cladding of…Hard
    • All problems on this topic →

    Quick questions

    1. Assertion (A): A polished concave mirror has a focal length of 15 cm in air. When the…Advanced
    2. A concave mirror has a focal length of 20 cm. A small object is placed on its axis at…Hard
    3. In an experiment with a spherical mirror, a student measures the object distance u and…Advanced

    More Physics terms

    1. Angle of Incidence
    2. Acceleration
    3. Acceleration Due to Gravity (g)
    4. Adiabatic Process
    5. Amplitude
    6. Archimedes' Principle
    All Physics terms →

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